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El Bosque de Pterocarpus
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Invasive Species - Suckermouth Catfish
The Suckermouth Catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus, Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus), is a nonindigenous aquatic species that occurs in quiet, slow-moving waters and swamps like the Pterocarpus Forest. In Puerto Rico, its presence is explained by release or escape from aquaculture facilities.
In this sense, the presence of this species is explained in a way that is similar to that of the iguanas that can be found throughout the Forest and Puerto Rico which are descendants of pets that were either released or escaped from homes, pet stores or other facilities.
The catfish primarily consumes detritus, with algae and plankton comprising a minor dietary role. In other places where it has been reported, such as Texas, Florida, and Nevada, it may be responsible for the local displacement of native fish. Because of their abundance in Hawaii, introduced Hypostomus, may compete for food and space with native stream species.
