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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).
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).

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.
Hop to next section 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)

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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.
Hop to next section 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.
Hop to next section 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 5 registered keepers, view all "my fish" data.
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There are 12 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2022 Aug 21 01:51 (species record created: 2001 Apr 28 00:00)