PlanetCatfish.com - Pterygoplichthys ambrosettii (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Pterygoplichthys ambrosettii** (Holmberg, 1893)
Common Names	Snow King Pleco Snesugemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Río Paraguay, in front of Formosa.
Synonym(s)	Glyptoperichthys anisitsi, Liposarcus ambrosettii, Liposarcus anisitsi
Pronunciation	terry gop LICK thees - am bro set eye
Etymology	Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish.
Species Information
Size	400mm or 15.7" 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). The common name, ''snow-king'' pleco comes from the fishes vivid greenish white patterning on a dark background.
Sexing	Unknown
Habitat Information
Distribution	Argentina & Paraguay: Rio Paraguay. La Plata, Paraná, Paraguay (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.
pH	6.5 - 7.5
Temperature	21.0-24.0°C or 69.8-75.2°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Omnivorous and a good algae eater. User data.
Furniture	Larger fish will unwittingly uproot plants. Large pipes are best for hiding places.
Compatibility	Peaceful as the larger plecos go.
Suggested Tankmates	Almost any medium sized community fish.
Breeding	Commercially bred in large outdoor ponds in Florida, US.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Revista del Jardin Zoológico de Buenos Ayres v. 1 (no. 12), pp354.
Registered Keepers	There are 3 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 is but a single record of this fish being seen, view it.
Forum BBCode

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	Look up P. ambrosettii on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.6.302
Last Update	2025 Jan 01 12:10 (species record created: 2001 May 05 00:00)