All Fishes ⇒ Loricariidae ⇒ Hypostominae ⇒ The genus Pterygoplichthys

Hop to next section Summary of pterygoplichthys
Pronounced terry gop LICK thees
Etymology Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish.
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).
Feeding Omnivorous and a good algae eater, especially when young.
Tankmates Almost any medium sized community fish.
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.
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.
Size Smallest 197mm, largest 700mm, average 381mm, most commonly 500mm. All SL.
Species There are 23 "species" in the database
Keepers 4 species (17%) are being kept by registered keepers
New spp. / time
1750 1770 1790 1810 1830 1850 1870 1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2010 
Distribution

Login to view the map.
Hop to next section Most Kept Species
1.
Pterygoplichthys gibbicepsPterygoplichthys gibbiceps
(50%)
2.
Pterygoplichthys pardalisPterygoplichthys pardalis
(20%)
3.
Pterygoplichthys scrophusPterygoplichthys scrophus
(20%)
4.
Pterygoplichthys joselimaianusPterygoplichthys joselimaianus
(10%)
Hop to next section Genus Thumbnails