PlanetCatfish.com - Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Juvenile
Sub-adult
Juvenile
Adult
Albino
Wild caught
Close-up of mouth
Adult
Sub-adult
Albino
Close-up of mouth (albino)
Ventral view (albino)
Close-up of eye
Close-up of underside of head
Juvenile
Close-up of head (adult)
Deformed head
Adult
Adipose fin (albino)
Albino
Superb dorsal fin!
Lower Rio Branco, Brazil
Habitat: Lower Rio Branco
Albino balloon form

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps** (Kner, 1854)
Common Names	L165, Sail Fin Pleco Gibby, Leopardplettet Sugemalle (Denmark), Sejlfinnet Leopardmalle (Denmark), Waben-Schilderwels (Germany)
Type Locality	Upper Rio Negro near Marabitanos, Amazonas State, Brazil.
Synonym(s)	Ancistrus gibbiceps, Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps, Liposarcus altipinnis
Pronunciation	terry gop LICK thees - gibb EE seps
Etymology	Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish. This specific epithet refers to the hump (gibbus=hump) on its head (kephale=head).
Articles	- CotM 1997 July
Species Information
Size	500mm or 19.7" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Pterygoplichthys can be identified by the number of rays in the dorsal fin. Ten or more dorsal rays (usually 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 trademark spotted sailfin makes this a distinctive species.
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: Middle and upper Amazon and Orinoco basins. Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH	6.5 - 7.8
Temperature	23.0-27.0°C or 73.4-80.6°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Larger fish require heavy filtration, not because they are fussy about water quality, but because of the high volumes of waste they produce.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Lettuce, Peas, Frozen Spinach and any prepared food that reaches the bottom. Larger fish enjoy prawns or pieces of freshwater trout. Algae (especially soft brown) will be eaten immediately. User data.
Furniture	An appropriately sized shady retreat is all this fish requires. Will not eat plants, but any individual larger then 100mm or so may inadvertently pull up plants that are not entirely established. Larger fish require heavy filtration, not because they are fussy about water quality, but because of the high volumes of waste they produce.
Compatibility	Larger individuals are territorial to conspecifics however not predatory and able to look after itself with all but the most violent tank mates.
Suggested Tankmates	Hardy and stoic, a good companion fish for most larger fishes. Not a good pleco to keep with other similarly sized, less gregarious plecos as the P. gibbiceps will usually win any competition for food.
Breeding	Although commercially farmed, spawning in a home aquarium would be very difficult to achieve as a large wall of mud (I.E. a river bank) is tunnelled into and used for the incubation / hatching process. Large tunnels and fish would be required in a super-size aquarium.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Denkschriften der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe. v. 7, pp 284 [34], Pl. 5 (fig. 2)
Registered Keepers	There are 356 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 4 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 51 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.6.148
Last Update	2022 Aug 21 01:51 (species record created: 2001 Apr 28 00:00)