Category: Fish
Also called the suckermouth catfish, the common pleco is an armored catfish native tropical northeastern South America and has been introduced to several other countries. The sucker-like structure of their mouth allows them to adhere to surfaces and rasp at food such as algae – this feature endears them to aquarists, who value them as a way to control algal growth in their tanks.
Hey, Fishlips!
If you’ve ever worn lipstick (or kissed anybody wearing lipstick), you’ve probably had fish scales on your lips. Of course you won’t find “herring scales from commercial fishing hauls” on the ingredients list of your cosmetics - they list it as the regal-sounding “pearl essence” or “pearlescence.” But why? Because the scales of silvery fish that capture and reflect light so beautifully in the water function the same way on your lips. So maybe next time somebody calls you “fish lips,” don’t jump to conclusions too quickly, maybe they mean it as a compliment!
Learn more >>
Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
