Cat-eLog Data Sheet | |
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Scientific Name | Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus (Hancock, 1828) |
Common Names | Orinoco Sailfin Catfish Sejlfinnet Sugemalle (Denmark), Vielgepunkteter Schilderwels (Germany) |
Type Locality | [Probably near Santa Catalina, Orinoco system], Demerara, Guyana. |
Pronunciation | terry gop LICK thees |
Etymology | Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish. Multiradiatus in reference to the number of rays in the dorsal rays (it was originally described as a species in Hypostomus, which normally has 8 rays in the dorsal fin). |
Species Information | |
Size | 500mm or 19.7" 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: Orinoco River basin. Reported from Argentina. Introduced and established in Taiwan, mainland USA and Hawaii. Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there) Log in to view data on a map. |
IUCN Red List Category | Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020. |
pH | 6.5 - 7.8 |
Temperature | 23.0-27.0°C or 73.4-80.6°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 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 | Zoological Journal, London v. 4, pp 246. |
Registered Keepers | There are 13 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data. |
Wishlists | Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 2 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what. |
Spotters | Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 4 records of this fish being seen, view them all. |
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Look up P. multiradiatus on Fishbase | |
Look up P. multiradiatus on Encyclopedia of Life | |
Look up P. multiradiatus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility | |
LFS label creator | |
Last Update | 2022 Jul 17 09:01 (species record created: 2002 Sep 25 00:00) |