HomeFreshwater aquarium fishCatfish & plecosPterygoplichthys joselimaianus Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus Scientific name: Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus Weber, 1991 Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows to about 30 cm (12 in). It is easy to keep and aggressive, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 475 L (125 US gal), water at 23–29°C (73–84°F) and a pH of 6.5–7.3. Native range: South America, Tocantins River basin. Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentAggressiveCommunity tankGoodAdult size30 cm (12 in)Minimum tank475 L (125 US gal)Temperature23–29°C (73–84°F)pH6.5–7.3Hardness3–10 dGH (54–178 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods. Species factsScientific namePterygoplichthys joselimaianusFamilyLoricariidae (Armored catfishes)OrderSiluriformes (Catfish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length30.5EnvironmentFreshwater; demersalClimateTropicalDistributionSouth America: Tocantins River basin.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmless More catfish & plecosAcanthicus adonisChocolate-colored catfishRineloricaria lanceolataPterygoplichthys scrophusLeporacanthicus triactisOtocinclus vestitusAtipaHoplosternum littoraleSee all catfish & plecos SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026