Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Loricariidae (Armored catfishes) > Hypostominae
Etymology: Pterygoplichthys: Greek, pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin + Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, ichthys = fish (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Steindachner.
Issue
New combination in Eigenmann and Eigenmann (1889:44). Complementary description by Weber (1992:26).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
South America: Magdalena River basin.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 50.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 26543)
Facultative air-breathing (Ref. 126274); May be found in rivers with strong current but prefers backwaters (Ref. 26543). Feeds on detritus and periphyton on submerged trunks and aquatic macrophytes (Ref. 26543).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Males guard the fertilized eggs (Ref. 26543).
Galvis, G., J.I. Mojica and M. Camargo, 1997. Peces del Catatumbo. Asociación Cravo Norte, Santafé de Bogotá, D.C., 188 p. (Ref. 26543)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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