Loricariidae

Leopard pleco

Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps

Dorsal crest and flared nasal

• Tropical
• Southern Hemisphere
• Regional distribution
• Freshwater fish
• South America
• Medium
• Tropical fish

Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps is a species of armored catfish native to Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, where it is found in the Orinoco and Amazon basins. Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps shows all the characteristic features of its genus—a large dorsal fin with more than nine rays, prominent nasal flares, and a prominent hump or crest anterior to the dorsal fin, as well as a substantial base to the dorsal fin. Adult fish easily attain a length of 50 centimetres (20 in) TL and can live for more than 20 years.