Pterygoplichthys pardalis
Encyclopedia
Pterygoplichthys pardalis is a tropical fish
, a Plecostomus
in the Armored Catfish family (Loricariidae
). Some synonyms for this species are Hypostomus pardalis, Liposarcus pardalis, Liposarcus varius, and Liposarcus jeanesianus. It is one of a number of species commonly referred to as the Common Pleco or "leopard Pleco" by aquarists. It will grow to a maximum length of 15.75 inches (40 centimeters). Pterygoplichthys pardalis is sometimes confused with the Hypostomus plecostomus
(another armored catfish known as the "Common Plecostomus"). The two species can be distinguished by their number of dorsal rays. P. pardalis has 11–13, while the H. plecostomus has only 5–8 dorsal rays.
Natively, P. pardalis originates in South America
in the Amazon River Basin
in a tropical climate and prefer water with a 7.0–7.5 pH
, a water hardness of 10.0–20.0 dGH
, and a temperature range of 73.4–82.4 °F (23.0–28.0 °C). Although normally a bottom-dwelling fish, they have the ability to breathe air from the surface of the water during dry periods and those in which dissolved oxygen is too low. As an aquarium fish they are hardy and suited for beginners. Peaceful and well suited for most "community" tank environments, they are mainly herbivorous but will feed on a wide range of fish food offered to them. They are often known for their cleaning ability and will indeed eat algae off tank walls. However, the fish themselves often excrete relatively large quantities of waste. They are mildly territorial towards other large Plecostomus.
There is also an albino color variation of this species, usually referred to as an "Albino Plecostomus".http://tropicalfishgallery.com/species-gallery/catfish/albino_pleco.html
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
, a Plecostomus
Plecostomus
Hypostomus plecostomus is the scientific name for a type of freshwater tropical Central and South American fish belonging to the family Loricariidae. They are large algae eaters, and to differentiate them from small algae eaters, they are often referred to as plecostomus, often abbreviated as...
in the Armored Catfish family (Loricariidae
Loricariidae
Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish , with almost 700 species and new species being described each year. Loricariids originate from fresh water habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are noted for the bony plates covering their bodies and...
). Some synonyms for this species are Hypostomus pardalis, Liposarcus pardalis, Liposarcus varius, and Liposarcus jeanesianus. It is one of a number of species commonly referred to as the Common Pleco or "leopard Pleco" by aquarists. It will grow to a maximum length of 15.75 inches (40 centimeters). Pterygoplichthys pardalis is sometimes confused with the Hypostomus plecostomus
Hypostomus plecostomus
Hypostomus plecostomus, the suckermouth catfish or common pleco, is a tropical fish belonging to the armored catfish family , named for the armor-like longitudinal rows of scutes that cover the upper parts of the head and body...
(another armored catfish known as the "Common Plecostomus"). The two species can be distinguished by their number of dorsal rays. P. pardalis has 11–13, while the H. plecostomus has only 5–8 dorsal rays.
Natively, P. pardalis originates in South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
in the Amazon River Basin
Amazon Basin
The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries that drains an area of about , or roughly 40 percent of South America. The basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela...
in a tropical climate and prefer water with a 7.0–7.5 pH
PH
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at . Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline...
, a water hardness of 10.0–20.0 dGH
DGH
Degrees of general hardness is a unit of water hardness, specifically of general hardness.General hardness is a measure of the concentration of metal divalent ions such as calcium and magnesium per volume of water...
, and a temperature range of 73.4–82.4 °F (23.0–28.0 °C). Although normally a bottom-dwelling fish, they have the ability to breathe air from the surface of the water during dry periods and those in which dissolved oxygen is too low. As an aquarium fish they are hardy and suited for beginners. Peaceful and well suited for most "community" tank environments, they are mainly herbivorous but will feed on a wide range of fish food offered to them. They are often known for their cleaning ability and will indeed eat algae off tank walls. However, the fish themselves often excrete relatively large quantities of waste. They are mildly territorial towards other large Plecostomus.
There is also an albino color variation of this species, usually referred to as an "Albino Plecostomus".http://tropicalfishgallery.com/species-gallery/catfish/albino_pleco.html