Snow Leopard Pleco (Pterygoplichthys anisitsi) Care Guide
Pterygoplichthys anisitsi is a large sailfin armoured catfish from the Paraguay-Parana system, treated by FishBase as a synonym of P. ambrosettii.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pterygoplichthys anisitsi is a large suckermouth armoured catfish of the family Loricariidae from southern South America. FishBase and Wikipedia treat the name as a junior synonym of Pterygoplichthys ambrosettii. The species has a high sailfin dorsal and a body marked with dark spots on a pale background. It requires a very large aquarium with driftwood and clean, well-oxygenated water.
Taxonomy
- Family: Loricariidae
- Genus: Pterygoplichthys
- Scientific name: Pterygoplichthys anisitsi
- Senior synonym (FishBase/Wikipedia): Pterygoplichthys ambrosettii
Habitat
The species is native to the Paraguay, middle Parana, Bermejo and Uruguay River basins of the Rio de la Plata system, in Paraguay, Bolivia, northern Argentina and western Uruguay. According to USGS, it occupies habitats ranging from cool, fast-flowing oxygen-rich streams to slow, warm lowland rivers and stagnant pools, and tolerates poor water quality. It has been introduced and established in parts of the southern United States.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
Pterygoplichthys anisitsi is largely a detritivore and grazer. USGS reports it removes attached algae from surfaces and also consumes benthic invertebrates. In aquaria it accepts algae-based foods and vegetable matter, fed about once daily.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful bottom-dwelling species. Because of its eventual size and heavy bioload, tankmates should be robust mid-water fish in a large system. Other territorial plecos are best avoided to prevent competition for cover.
Breeding
Pterygoplichthys species are burrow spawners. Studies on P. ambrosettii describe parental care in excavated burrows, but reproduction is rarely achieved in home aquaria and is regarded as advanced.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List assesses Pterygoplichthys ambrosettii (the accepted name) as Least Concern (assessed 25 November 2020).
Breeding the Snow Leopard Pleco (Pterygoplichthys anisitsi)
Overview
Pterygoplichthys anisitsi is a large sailfin suckermouth catfish in the family Loricariidae from 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. P. anisitsi is among the species that have established invasive populations outside their native range (for example in Texas).
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.