AquaticRepublic.com - Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus (Loricariidae) All Fishes

Ventral view showing reticulated pattern
Male
Female
Close-up of mouth

All Fishes 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.
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.
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) 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.
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	Revue Suisse de Zoologie v. 98 (no. 3), pp 638.
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 are 2 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up P. disjunctivus on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up P. disjunctivus on Fishbase
	Look up P. disjunctivus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up P. disjunctivus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.6.703
Last Update	2025 Jan 01 12:10 (species record created: 2002 Sep 25 00:00)