Adult
Juvenile
Juvenile
Ventral view
Close-up of head
Adult
Ventral view
 All Fishes Data Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterygoplichthys weberi Armbruster & Page, 2006 |
| Common Name | Ranger Pleco |
| Type Locality | Laguna El Vaticano, Río Caqueta drainage, Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia. |
| Synonym(s) | |
| Pronunciation | terry gop LICK thees |
| Etymology | Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish. Lorica, Loricare = cuirass of corslet of leather (a suit of armour made of leather). |
| Species Information | |
| Size | 197mm or 7.8" 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). 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. 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 Amazon, Upper Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Upper Amazon, Napo (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Japurá, Caquetá (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Upper Amazon, Marañón, Pastaza, Bobonaza (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map. |
| IUCN Red List Category | Least Concern , a distribution map 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 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. |
| Further Information | |
| Reference | Neotropical Ichthyology v. 4 (no. 4), pp 406, Fig. 5. |
| 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 7 records of this fish being seen, view them all. |
| More Resources | |
| Forum BBCode | |
 | Look up P. weberi on PlanetCatfish.com |
 | Look up P. weberi on Fishbase |
 | Look up P. weberi on Encyclopedia of Life |
 | Look up P. weberi on Global Biodiversity Information Facility |
| LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.6.860 | |
| Last Update | Sat Dec 25, 2010 10:17 am (Species record created: Thu Jan 01, 1970 1:00 am) |