AquaticRepublic.com - Pterygoplichthys xinguensis (Loricariidae) All Fishes

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Pterygoplichthys xinguensis** (Weber, 1991)
Common Name	L083
Type Locality	Rio Fresco, affluent of Rio Xingú, Amazon system, Aldeio Gorotire, munic. São Felix do Xingú, Pará State, Brazil.
Synonym(s)	Glyptoperichthys xinguensis
Pronunciation	terry gop LICK thees
Etymology	Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish.
Species Information
Size	270mm or 10.6" 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).
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: Xingu River basin. Amazon, Lower Amazon, Xingu (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 2018.
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	Revue Suisse de Zoologie v. 98 (no. 3), pp 640.
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 no record of this fish being seen.
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	Look up P. xinguensis on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up P. xinguensis on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.6.4213
Last Update	2025 Jan 01 12:10 (species record created: 2012 Feb 07 06:14)