Cat-eLog Right Loricariidae Right Hypostominae Right Pterygoplichthys  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Pterygoplichthys parnaibae  (Weber, 1991)
Common Name
Type Locality Lac de Parnaguá, Rio Paraim, Parnaíba basin, Maranhão, Brazil.
Pronunciation terry gop LICK thees
Etymology Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish. Genus: Greek, glyptes = carver + Greek,peri = around + Greek, ichthys = fish
Down Species Information
Size 290mm or 11.4" 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).

Diagnosis (translated from French): Pterygoplichthys parnaibae is distinguished by a dark coat with clear spots and vermiculations on the whole body and fins, associated with the presence of a high preoperculum and garnished with numerous hooks, particularly developed on the upper part of its posterior margin.
P. parnaibae bears a similar appearance with P. joselimaianus and P. lituratus. The three are collected from different waterways, with P. parnaibae originating in the Rio Parnaiba basin in the state of Maranhao, P. joselimaianus originating in the Rio Tocantins basin in the state of Goias, and P. lituratus originating in the Rio Madiera basin, States of Rondonia and Mato Grosso.
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.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Parnaíba River basin.
Piauí Rivers, Parnaíba (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2018.
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Omnivorous and a good algae eater, especially when young. User data.
Suggested Tankmates Almost any medium sized community fish.
Breeding Unreported.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference Revue Suisse de Zoologie v. 98 (no. 3), pp 641.
Registered Keepers There are 5 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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There is but a single record of this fish being seen, view it.
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Last Update 2019 Oct 09 04:54 (species record created: 2006 Jul 14 00:00)