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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 |
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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. |
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Distribution | South America: Parnaíba River basin. Piauí Rivers, Parnaíba (click on these areas to find other species found there) Log in to view data on a map. |
IUCN Red List Category | Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2018. |
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Feeding | Omnivorous and a good algae eater, especially when young. |
Suggested Tankmates | Almost any medium sized community fish. |
Breeding | Unreported. |
Breeding Reports | There is no breeding report. |
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Reference | Revue Suisse de Zoologie v. 98 (no. 3), pp 641. |
Registered Keepers | Keeping this species? Why not . There are 5 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data. |
Wishlists | Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species. |
Spotters | Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There is but a single record of this fish being seen, view it. |
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More on Pterygoplichthys parnaibae | |
![]() | Look up Pterygoplichthys parnaibae on AquaticRepublic.com |
![]() | Look up Pterygoplichthys parnaibae on Fishbase |
![]() | Look up Pterygoplichthys parnaibae on Encyclopedia of Life |
Look up Pterygoplichthys parnaibae on Global Biodiversity Information Facility | |
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Last Update | 2019 Oct 09 04:54 (species record created: 2006 Jul 14 00:00) |