Hypostomus cochliodon is a species of armored catfish native to Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay where it occurs in the Paraguay and middle Paraná River basins. This species grows to a length of 23 centimetres (9.1 in) SL. The species is kept in home aquaria, although they may be difficult to find because export from Brazil is limited. Unlike most other Loricariidae, it has been speculated that this fish is a wood-eating specialist alongside the usual plant material and algae (see also xylophagy in Panaque).