Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus • Loricariidae • Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus** (Weber, 1991)
Common Name(s)	Vermiculated Sailfin Catfish
Type Locality	Rio Madeira, Amazon R. system, Restauracao, Amazonas, Brazil.
Synonym(s)	Liposarcus disjunctivus
Pronunciation	terry gop LICK thees
Etymology	Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish.
Species Information
Size	430mm (16.9") 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). This species is most likely to be confused with P. pardalis. The pattern on the abdomen is the most useful external key: P. pardalis has a spotted pattern, where P. disjunctivus has a vermiculated pattern. For more info see: Zootaxa 1109: 57?68 (2006)
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 River basin. Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Madeira (click on these areas to find other species found there) (Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)
Husbandry Information
Suggested Tankmates	Almost any medium sized community fish.
Breeding	Unreported.
Further Information
References	Rev. Suisse Zool. v. 98 (no. 3) 638
Registered Keepers	(1) Joetee (p: 2), (2) rocker, (3) abaigael04, (4) Rinaag, (5) SpunkyTheMonkey, (6) royaldragoness, (7) dawndeschain999, (8) Dalek Tzet, (9) marinebalaji, (10) excuzzzeme, (11) Schmike, (12) Seagirt, who also notes: "Just hangs a round the other plecos.". Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.
Breeding Reports	None.
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Last Update	2011 Sep 28 07:44 (species record created: 2002 Sep 25 00:00)

Cat-eLog Data Sheet

Scientific Name

Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus (Weber, 1991)

Common Name(s)

Vermiculated Sailfin Catfish

Type Locality

Rio Madeira, Amazon R. system, Restauracao, Amazonas, Brazil.

Synonym(s)

Liposarcus disjunctivus

Pronunciation

terry gop LICK thees

Etymology

Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish.

Species Information

Size

430mm (16.9") 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).

This species is most likely to be confused with P. pardalis. The pattern on the abdomen is the most useful external key: P. pardalis has a spotted pattern, where P. disjunctivus has a vermiculated pattern. For more info see: Zootaxa 1109: 57?68 (2006)

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 River basin.
Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Madeira (click on these areas to find other species found there)

(Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)

Husbandry Information

Suggested Tankmates

Almost any medium sized community fish.

Breeding

Unreported.

Further Information

References

Rev. Suisse Zool. v. 98 (no. 3) 638

Registered Keepers

(1) Joetee (p: 2), (2) rocker, (3) abaigael04, (4) Rinaag, (5) SpunkyTheMonkey, (6) royaldragoness, (7) dawndeschain999, (8) Dalek Tzet, (9) marinebalaji, (10) excuzzzeme, (11) Schmike, (12) Seagirt, who also notes: "Just hangs a round the other plecos.".

Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.

Breeding Reports

None.