/loricariidae/pterygoplichthys/punctatus/1.jpg "Pterygoplichthys punctatus(1) - Click to enlarge")
/loricariidae/pterygoplichthys/punctatus/2.jpg "Pterygoplichthys punctatus(2) - Click to enlarge")
/loricariidae/pterygoplichthys/punctatus/3.jpg "Pterygoplichthys punctatus(3) - Click to enlarge")
/loricariidae/pterygoplichthys/punctatus/4.jpg "Pterygoplichthys punctatus(4) Rio Araguaia - Click to enlarge")
 Cat-eLog Data Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterygoplichthys punctatus (Günther, 1864) |
| Common Name(s) | Guimares Silver Pleco, Imperial Ranger Pleco, Trinidad Pleco, Yogi Pleco |
| Type Locality | Rio Guaporé, Amazon system, San Vincente, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. |
| Synonym(s) | Glyptoperichthys punctatus, Loricaria punctata |
| Pronunciation | terry gop LICK thees |
| Etymology | Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish. |
| Species Information | |
| Size | 285mm (11.2") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp. |
| Identification | Pterygoplichthys can be identified by the number of rays in the dorsal fin. More than 10 indicates that it's a Pterygoplichthys. Most other plecos have 8 or fewer rays (in particular the larger Hypostomus species that are most likely to be confused with Pterygoplichthys). The attractive colouration of the juvenile fish changes to a more common looking 'brown with dark brown' spots with adulthood. |
| Sexing | Comparison of the genital papilla in mature fish shows the differences in the sexes to the trained eye. In males this is a small yet thick stump which noticeably protrudes from the fish's undercarriage. In females it is less obvious and is recessed or lies flat with the body. |
| Habitat Information | |
| Distribution | South America: Madeira, Purus, Jurus and Marañon River Basins. Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes)  , Madeira (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there)Amazon, Upper Amazon, Marañón (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there)Amazon, Juruá (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there) Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes) , Purus (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there) |
| Temperature | 22.0-26.0°C or 71.6-78.8°F (Show others within this range) |
| Husbandry Information | |
| Suggested Tankmates | Almost any medium sized community fish. |
| Breeding | Unreported. |
| Further Information | |
| References | Cat. Fishesv. 5 - pp251 |
| Registered Keepers | (1) smithrc, (2) Osiris, (3) ani-mal-lvr (k: 6), (4) teddyman5, (5) scouse_andy, (6) didjman89, (7) Pungen (k: 2), (8) NC24, (9) shivamotiram, (10) Hudson Ensz, (11) oneoddfish, (12) smitty (p: 2, k: 2), who also notes: "5/17/2012- Measured 10 inches", "5/17/2012- Measured 7 inches". Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.  Add this species to your "my cats" page. |
| Breeding Reports | None. |
| More Resources |
 -
Search Planet Catfish for more on Pterygoplichthys punctatus
 - BBcode (for use in linking to this page from forum posts) - Look up Pterygoplichthys punctatus on AquaticRepublic.com
 - Look up Pterygoplichthys punctatus on Fishbase, I.T.I.S. or ispecies search. - URL (for use in linking to the species from anywhere on the web) |
| Hits | 17062 hits. |
| Last Update | 2007 Nov 26 13:59 (species record created: 2004 Jul 05 00:00) |
Registered users: Bing [Bot], Coryologist, Google [Bot], har_eh
© 1996 - 2012 PlanetCatfish.com, part of the Aquatic Republic Network group of websites. All Rights Reserved. By accessing this site you agree to our Terms and Conditions of Use.
