Catfish are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia, the wels catfish of Eurasia, and the piraíba of South America, to detritivores, and even to a tiny parasitic species commonly called the candiru, Vandellia cirrhosa. Neither the armour-plated types nor the naked types have scales. Despite their name, not all catfish have prominent barbels or "whiskers". Members of the Siluriformes order are defined by features of the skull and swimbladder. Catfish are of considerable commercial importance; many of the larger species are farmed or fished for food. Many of the smaller species, particularly the genus Corydoras, are important in the aquarium hobby. Many catfish are nocturnal, but others are crepuscular or diurnal.
Hypostomus plecostomus, also known as the suckermouth catfish or the common pleco, is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the armored catfish family (Loricariidae), named for the longitudinal rows of armor-like scutes that cover the upper parts of the head and body. Although the name Hypostomus plecostomus is often used to refer to common plecostomus sold in aquarium shops, most are actually members of other genera.
The Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish, with 92 genera and just over 680 species. Loricariids originate from freshwater habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are noted for the bony plates covering their bodies and their suckermouths. Several genera are sold as "plecos", notably the suckermouth catfish, Hypostomus plecostomus, and are popular as aquarium fish.
Plecostomus, pleco, or plec is the common name of several species of freshwater loricariid catfish commonly sold as aquarium fish.
Pterygoplichthys, sometimes collectively known as janitor fish, is a genus of South American armored catfishes. These fish are commonly known as sailfin armoured catfish or sailfin plecs, especially in the aquarium trade.
Acanthicus is a genus of large, South American suckermouth armored catfishes native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins, and possibly in Guyana. The name Acanthicus is derived from the Greek, akanthikos meaning thorny, spiny. Fish of this genus are known as lyre-tail plecos. These species are found in large rivers, primarily in areas with a rocky bottom and a moderate or strong current.
The Hypostominae are a subfamily of catfishes of the family Loricariidae. Most members are restricted to tropical and subtropical South America, but there are also several species in southern Central America. Hypostomus plecostomus, which is popular in the aquarium trade, has been introduced to several regions far from its native range.
Pterygoplichthyini is a tribe of catfishes of the family Loricariidae. It includes two genera, Pterygoplichthys and the currently undescribed genus referred to as the Hemiancistrus annectens group, This group was earlier misspelled as Pterygoplichthini. Pterygoplichthyines are known from nearly the entire range of loricariids except for the Guyanas and coastal streams in southeastern Brazil. although later work by the same authority, and his co-authors, placed this group among the genus Hypostomus.
Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus is one of several tropical fish commonly known as Orinoco sailfin catfish, plecostomus. It belongs to the armored catfish family (Loricariidae). Named for its sail-like dorsal fin, the part of its scientific name multiradiatus means "many-rayed" and refers to the rays of the dorsal fin. P. multiradiatus is one of a number of species commonly referred to as the common pleco by aquarists.
Pterygoplichthys pardalis, the Amazon sailfin catfish, is a freshwater tropical fish in the armored catfish family (Loricariidae). It is one of a number of species commonly referred to as the common pleco or "leopard pleco" by aquarists.
Pterygoplichthys ambrosettii, sometimes known as the snow king pleco, is a species of armored catfish native to south-central South America.
Pterygoplichthys anisitsi also known as the Paraná sailfin catfish, southern sailfin catfish, or snow-king plecostomus, is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. Its natural range is the middle Paraná and Uruguay River basins of south-central South America, but it has been introduced to North America and South Asia, probably via the pet trade. Like other loricariid catfishes, Pterygoplichthys anisitsi has a ventral mouth modified into a sucking disk and a body covered in bony plates. The species typically has a dark and white spotted body pattern, although some individuals are very dark with few spots. It reaches 55 cm in total length and can weigh up to at least 2.3 kg.
Hypostomus roseopunctatus is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Uruguay River basin in the Río de la Plata system in Argentina and Brazil. The species reaches 43.3 cm in total length, can weigh up to at least 796 g, and is believed to be a facultative air-breather.
Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus, commonly known as the vermiculated sailfin catfish, is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Madeira River basin in Bolivia and Brazil, although it has subsequently been introduced to various countries.
Pterygoplichthys parnaibae is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is a freshwater fish native to South America, where it occurs in the Parnaíba River basin in Brazil, for which it is named. The species reaches 29 cm in standard length and is known to be a facultative air-breather.
Pterygoplichthys punctatus, commonly known as the corroncho, is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is a freshwater fish native to South America, where it occurs in the basins of the Juruá River, Madeira River, the Marañón River, and the Purus River in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. The species reaches 28.5 cm in standard length and is known to be a facultative air-breather.
Pterygoplichthys scrophus is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the basins of the Marañón River and the Ucayali River in Peru. The species reaches 27.5 cm in standard length and is known to be a facultative air-breather.
Pterygoplichthys weberi is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the basins of the Amazon River, the Japurá River, the Marañón River, and the Ucayali River in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The species reaches 19.7 cm in standard length and is known to be a facultative air-breather. Its specific epithet, weberi, honors Claude Weber of the Natural History Museum of Geneva for his contributions to the systematics of the genus Pterygoplichthys and of loricariids in general.
Pterygoplichthys xinguensis is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Xingu River basin in Brazil. The species reaches 37.5 cm in total length, can weigh up to 580 g, and is known to be a facultative air-breather.
Pterygoplichthys zuliaensis is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is a freshwater fish native to South America, where it occurs in the Lake Maracaibo basin in Venezuela. The species is known to be a facultative air-breather.
