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Freshwater fishes

The fish list

499 species, each with the water it needs, who it gets along with, and where it comes from. Find one, or browse by family, genus or river.

EndangeredRarePopularPeacefulSmall (6 cm or less)Calm waterStrong flowSchooling✓ L-numbers✓ With photo Basic profiles too
Showing: Genus: Pterygoplichthys ✕

Pterygoplichthys 6 fish

Gold spot pleco

L001
Gold spot pleco ≈

Plecos · PterygoplichthysRare

  • 24–28°C
  • pH 5.5–7.5
  • Gentle
  • 12 in!
  • Bottom
  • Mixed
  • Peaceful

A sailfin that grows to about 30 cm and makes a lot of waste.

Tocantins–Araguaia basin, Brazil

Gold spot pleco

L001

Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus

Tocantins–Araguaia basin, Brazil · river

Temperature
24–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
12 in · 30 cm
Flow
Gentle
Swims
Bottom
Temperament
Peaceful
Diet
Omnivore
Breeding
Rarely
Typical price
$15–80
In Canada
Occasional
Rarity
Rare or hard to breed

A sailfin that grows to about 30 cm and makes a lot of waste. Big tanks only.

View full profile

Photo: 5snake5, CC BY-SA 4.0

Common pleco

L021
Common pleco ≈

Plecos · Pterygoplichthys

  • 23–28°C
  • pH 5.5–7.5
  • Bottom
  • Mixed
Amazon basin

Common pleco

L021

Pterygoplichthys pardalis

Amazon basin · river

Temperature
23–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Swims
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
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Photo: NasserHalaweh, CC BY-SA 4.0

Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus

L022
Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus ≈

Plecos · Pterygoplichthys

  • 23–28°C
  • pH 5.5–7.5
  • Bottom
  • Mixed
Rio Tocantins, Brazil

Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus

L022

Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus

Rio Tocantins, Brazil · river

Temperature
23–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Swims
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
View full profile

Photo: 5snake5, CC BY-SA 4.0

Common pleco

L023
Common pleco ≈

Plecos · Pterygoplichthys

  • 23–28°C
  • pH 5.5–7.5
  • Bottom
  • Mixed
Amazon basin

Common pleco

L023

Pterygoplichthys pardalis

Amazon basin · river

Temperature
23–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Swims
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
View full profile

Photo: NasserHalaweh, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sailfin pleco

L165
Sailfin pleco ≈

Plecos · Pterygoplichthys

  • 23–28°C
  • pH 5.5–7.5
  • Bottom
  • Mixed
Río Orinoco, Venezuela

Sailfin pleco

L165

Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps

Río Orinoco, Venezuela · river

Temperature
23–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Swims
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
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Photo: Wisky, CC BY-SA 3.0

Fatamorgana Pleco

L196
Fatamorgana Pleco ≈

Plecos · Pterygoplichthys

  • 23–28°C
  • pH 5.5–7.5
  • Bottom
  • Mixed
Rio Madeira, Brazil

Fatamorgana Pleco

L196

Pterygoplichthys lituratus

Rio Madeira, Brazil · river

Temperature
23–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Swims
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
View full profile

Photo: Leonardo Bergamini, CC BY

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