ability is dependent on the risk of hypoxia faced by a species; torrent-dwelling species tend to have no ability to breathe air, while low-land, pool-dwelling species, such as those of Hypostomus, have a great ability to breathe air. Pterygoplichthys is known for being kept out of water and sold alive in fish markets, surviving up to 30 hours out of water. Loricariids are facultative air breathers; they will only breathe air if under stress and will only use their gills in situations when oxygen levels are high. The dry season is a likely time for this; there would be little food in the stomach, which would allow its use for air breathing. Loricariids exhibit a wide range of reproductive strategies, including cavity spawning, attachment of eggs on the underside of rocks, and egg-carrying. Parental care is usually good, and the male guards the eggs and sometimes the larvae. The eggs hatch after four to 20 days, depending on the species. Three species known from subterranean habitats are true troglobites with reduced pigmentation (appearing overall whitish) and eyes: Ancistrus cryptophthalmus, A. galani and A. formoso. Similar adaptions with reduced pigmentation are known from two loricariids found in deep water in large Amazonian rivers, Peckoltia pankimpuju and Panaque bathyphilus. In the aquarium Loricariids are popular aquarium fish, where they are often sold as "plecs", "plecos" or "plecostomus". These fish are often purchased because of their algae-eating habits, though this role may not be carried out. Loricariid are either vegetarian, omnivore, carnivore or wood-eaters. A great many species of loricariids are also sold for their ornamental qualities, representing many body shapes and colors. Most species of loricariids are nocturnal and will shy away from bright light, appreciating some sort of cover to hide under throughout the day. As they often originate from habitats with fast-moving water, filtration should be vigorous. A number of species of loricariids have been bred in captivity. References External links THE LORICARIIDAE by Dr. Jonathan Armbruster - useful website including a taxonomic key. Planet Catfish Catalogue of loricariid catfishes All Catfish Species Inventory page for Loricariidae Plecostomus.org Fish of South America Extant Miocene first appearances Catfish families Taxa named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque