AquaticRepublic.com - Pterygoplichthys punctatus (Loricariidae) All Fishes

Rio Araguaia

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Pterygoplichthys punctatus** (Kner, 1854)
Common Names	Imperial Ranger Pleco Guimares Silver Pleco, Punktierter Schilderwels (Germany), Trinidad Pleco, Yogi Pleco
Type Locality	Rio Guaporé, Amazon system, San Vincente, Mato Grosso state, Brazil.
Synonym(s)	Glyptoperichthys punctatus, Loricaria punctata, Pterygoplichthys punctatus
Pronunciation	terry gop LICK thees - PUNK tah tuss
Etymology	Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish.
Species Information
Size	285mm or 11.2" 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 attractive colouration of the juvenile fish changes to a more common looking 'brown with dark brown' spots with adulthood.
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.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Madeira, Purus, Jurua and Marañon River basins. Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Madeira (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Upper Amazon, Marañón (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Juruá (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Purus (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
Temperature	22.0-26.0°C or 71.6-78.8°F (Show species within this range)
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.
Further Information
Reference	Denkschriften der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe. v. 7, pp 281 [31].
Registered Keepers	There is no registered keeper.
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.
Forum BBCode

	Look up P. punctatus on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up P. punctatus on Fishbase
	Look up P. punctatus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up P. punctatus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.6.1295
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:37 (species record created: 2004 Jul 05 00:00)