Cat-eLog Right Loricariidae Right Hypostominae Right Pterygoplichthys  |  | 

  • Pterygoplichthys disjunctivusRio Madiera
  • Pterygoplichthys disjunctivusVentral view showing reticulated pattern
  • Pterygoplichthys disjunctivusMale
  • Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus
  • Pterygoplichthys disjunctivusFemale
  • Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus
  • Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus
  • Pterygoplichthys disjunctivusClose-up of mouth
Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus    (Weber, 1991)
Common Names Vermiculated Sailfin Catfish
Schilderwels (German)
Type Locality Rio Madeira, Amazon R. system, Restauracao, Amazonas, Brazil.
Synonym(s) Ancistrus anisitsi, Ancistrus multiradiatus alternans, Liposarcus anisitsi, Liposarcus disjunctivus, Pterygoplichthys anisitsi, Pterygoplichthys juvens
Pronunciation terry gop LICK thees
Etymology Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish. 
Down Species Information
Size 700mm or 27.6" 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).

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.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Madeira River basin. Introduced to countries outside its native range.
Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Madeira (click on these areas to find other species found there)
La Plata, Paraná, Paraguay (click on these areas to find other species found there)
La Plata, Paraná, Middle Paraná (click on these areas to find other species found there)
La Plata, Uruguay (click on these areas to find other species found there)
La Plata, Paraná, Middle Paraná, Bermejo (click on these areas to find other species found there)
La Plata, Paraná, Middle Paraná, Bermejo, Lipeo (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 2020.
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 638.
Registered Keepers There are 25 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 3 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There are 5 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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ARN ref:1.4.6.703
Last Update 2025 Jan 01 12:10 (species record created: 2002 Sep 25 00:00)