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Hop to next section All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name Pterygoplichthys undecimalis  (Steindachner, 1878)
Common Name Undecimalis-Pterygoplichthys (Germany)
Type Locality Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, Magdalena basin, 40 kilometers east of Barranquilla, Colombia.
Pronunciation terry gop LICK thees
Etymology Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish. 
Hop to next section 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).
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.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Magdalena River basin.
Colombia Caribbean Rivers, Magdalena (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Colombia Caribbean Rivers, Magdalena, Cauca (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Lake Maracaibo, Catatumbo (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 2014.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Omnivorous and a good algae eater, especially when young. User data.
Suggested Tankmates Almost any medium sized community fish.
Breeding Unreported in captivity, in nature, the male fish occupies a tunnel in soft river bank in which the eggs are laid and guarded. The egg mass of bright orange eggs contains thousands of eggs.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Anzeiger der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe v. 15 (no. 12) (for 9 May 1878), pp 90.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There is no wish to keep this species.
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There is no record of this fish being seen.
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Last Update 2020 Oct 12 23:10 (species record created: 2012 Feb 07 06:13)