Order Catfishes ( Siluriformes )
Family Armored Catfishes ( Loricariidae )
Subfamily Hypostominae ( Hypostominae )
To be continued…
Genus Pterygoplichthys — Pterygoplichthys.
— Pterygoplichthys anisitsi [Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903]. Synonyms: Ancistrus, Liposarcus anisitsi, Pterygoplichthys juvens. (Eng. Snow Pleco). Argentina, Paraguay, Paraguay River basin, Brazil; 25 cm. Slate black with white speckles on the body and fins. Aquarium from 300 liters. Hardness 5-25°; pH 6.5-8.2; temperature 20-28°C.
— Leopard Pleco — Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps [Kner, 1854]. Synonym: Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps, Liposarcus altipinnis. (Eng. Clown Plecostomus, Gibby, Leopard Pleco, Sail Fin Pleco, Sailfin Pleco). (L 083, L 165, L 196). Brazil, Amazon River, Rio Negro River basin, Peru Pakaya River. 20-40 cm. It has an elongated, top-flattened body. The belly line is flat, the upper profile is wedge-shaped. Viewed from above, the body is rhombic, pointed in front, reaching maximum width in the area of the pectoral fins.
The fish have strongly developed oral suckers, thanks to which they can attach to a smooth surface so strongly that it is very difficult to unhook them without injuring them. They have thick barbels at the base, bordered by a skin fold. Eyes are small, dark in color. The main background is light brown, scattered with large mosaic coffee-brown rounded spots. Similar spots are present on the fins. The body and fins seem to be covered with chocolate-colored scales.
The dorsal fin is very large, sail-like. The caudal fin is large, with the upper part slanted towards the head, there are no filaments on it. Males are larger, have enlarged first rays of the pectoral fins, studded with large spikes. Juveniles are gray-blue with a silver sheen and dark dots. With age, these catfish retain their beauty, so they can be viewed as an ornament of a decorative aquarium.
When excited, the fish spread their fins wide to impress the opponent with huge sizes, the coloration becomes contrasting. Resting among the plants, the glyptoperichthyes, on the contrary, presses its fins, turns pale, individual parts of the body lighten, forming a camouflage color.
At a young age, it is very similar to the common pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus). Of course, if you buy adult or grown fish, it is very difficult to make a mistake. But small, unremarkable fish often go on sale and if they sit somewhere in a carrier at the market, they can easily be confused. It is quite possible to distinguish even small plecos and pterygoplichthyes, because juvenile plecos are noticeably cheaper.
Here is how you can distinguish fish sitting on the glass: — The plecostomus has relatively thin and relatively long, pale barbels, and the areas of the gill covers adjacent to the glass are almost uncolored; — The pterygoplichthys is the exact opposite – the barbels are thick at the base and colored. The gill covers are also colored.
These fish can also be reliably distinguished if they are sitting on the bottom. The skin fold near the nostrils of the pterygoplichthys is better developed than that of the plecostomus. Its apex rises above the level of the eyes. In addition, a row of light spikes running along the body is located at eye level. There is another similar row running from the level of the pectoral fin.
It becomes more pronounced with age, and in adult pterygoplichthyes it is this row that catches the eye. But in small ones, the upper row of tubercles is developed no worse, or even better than the lower one. A small plecostomus has only one clearly noticeable row of light spikes, and it begins from the pectoral fin, and the tops of the skin folds near the nostrils do not extend beyond the level of the eyes.
Peaceful even towards small fish. In nature, it is a schooling fish, but in an aquarium, cases of intraspecific aggression are not uncommon, intensifying with a lack of food. If you have two males in your aquarium, they will constantly fight with each other — and not in favor of the weak! Leads a nocturnal and twilight lifestyle. Shelters are required. During the day, they prefer to hide under driftwood and in various shelters, clinging to the surface. Unlike other catfish that remain small, these grow slowly but constantly — a spacious aquarium is an absolute condition. In too small aquariums, they cannot be kept for long.
The leopard pleco destroys various algal growths and organic pollution from stones, driftwood and soil. Can damage delicate plants. Adult fish destroy plants. Vegetation and driftwood are required to obtain ballast and cellulose necessary for digestion. Plant food (60%) and animal food (40%). Filtration, aeration, weekly water changes. Mature at 2 years at a length of 14-18 cm. The male guards the clutch. They live up to 10 years. pH 6.5-8.0; dH 4-20°; T 22-26°C.
Identification: Leopard Pleco — Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps.
Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus, multiradiatus, pardalis.
Peckoltia braueri, brevis, compta, sabaji, vittata. 
