WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Vermiculated Sailfin Catfish

Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus

Also known as: Janitor Fish, Plecostomus, Sailfin Armoured Catfish, Sailfin Plecs, Suckerfish, Sucker-mouthed Catfish, Sucking Catfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2023
Adult
@Swediver93 · Kefalonia, Greece · August 20151 / 2
01

Overview

Found over lakes, flood plains, and swamps of the Madeira River basin, in sluggish, poorly oxygenated waters and must rely on air breathing for long periods.
South America - Madeira River Basin

A freshwater fish often seen in the aquarium trade, often used as cleaners/algae eaters in the tank.
These fish are able to breathe air and also have suction on their lips so they can move around feeding while being stuck to an object.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Fins & Tail
sail fin
Behaviour
breathes air

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found over lakes, flood plains, and swamps of the Madeira River basin, in sluggish, poorly oxygenated waters and must rely on air breathing for long periods.

04

Adult photos 2

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderSiluriformes
    5. familyLoricariidae
    6. genusPterygoplichthys
    7. speciesPterygoplichthys disjunctivus (Weber, 1991)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Armored Catfishes (Loricariidae)