Snow King Pleco (Pterygoplichthys ambrosettii) Care Guide
Pterygoplichthys ambrosettii, the Snow King pleco, is a large sailfin pleco from the Río de la Plata basin; a hardy bottom-dweller needing a very large tank.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pterygoplichthys ambrosettii, the Snow King or Paraná sailfin pleco, is a large armoured suckermouth catfish of the family Loricariidae. Like other Pterygoplichthys it has a tall, sail-like dorsal fin and a spotted body.
Taxonomy
- Family: Loricariidae
- Scientific name: Pterygoplichthys ambrosettii
- Subfamily: Hypostominae
- Common synonyms: Snow King Sailfin
Habitat
The species occurs in the Río de la Plata basin, in the Paraguay, middle Paraná, Bermejo and Uruguay rivers, across Paraguay, Bolivia, northern Argentina and western Uruguay. It is a typical species of the lower Paraná freshwater ecoregion; its range expanded into the upper Paraná after the Sete Quedas waterfalls were flooded during the Itaipu dam construction. The aquarium should be warm, spacious and well filtered.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 600 L (159 gal)
- Adult size: 40-50 cm (15.7-19.7 in)
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
As with related sailfin plecos it is essentially omnivorous, taking a diet rich in vegetable matter alongside prepared sinking foods. Soft aquarium plants are at risk from its rasping.
Compatibility
Peaceful but very large, it stays near the bottom and produces a heavy bioload, so it requires a sizeable aquarium with strong filtration. Calm tankmates such as larger tetras and robust Corydoras suit it; aggressive or territorial plecos are best avoided.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List assessed the species as Least Concern.
Breeding the Snow King Pleco (Pterygoplichthys ambrosettii)
Overview
Pterygoplichthys ambrosettii is a large sailfin suckermouth catfish in the family Loricariidae from the Parana basin of southern South America. Members of the genus are facultative air breathers with a greatly expanded, highly vascularised stomach sac that helps them survive in poorly oxygenated water. The genus is covered in scientific reviews of the global invasion of Pterygoplichthys, alongside species such as P. pardalis, P. disjunctivus and P. multiradiatus.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Reproduction in the genus involves males excavating burrows (tunnels) into mud or clay banks, where the eggs are laid and the male then guards them. The reproductive guild is described as guarders and nesters, with external fertilisation and spawning occurring across the year. These bank-nesting habits, combined with high fecundity, contribute to the genus's success as an invader.
Egg & Fry Care
The male guards the egg-filled burrow; in some fisheries eggs are collected from male-guarded burrows for the aquarium trade. Although Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps is bred commercially on fish farms in Florida and Malaysia, most species in the genus do not readily reproduce in standard aquaria because the burrow-spawning requirement is hard to replicate.
Common Challenges
The species' large adult size and dependence on deep bank burrows for spawning cannot be reproduced in a home tank, so hobby breeding is not realistic. Supply for the trade relies on wild capture and pond aquaculture.