HomeFreshwater aquarium fishCatfish & plecosPterygoplichthys scrophus Pterygoplichthys scrophus Scientific name: Pterygoplichthys scrophus Cope, 1874 Pterygoplichthys scrophus is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows to about 28 cm (11 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 22–28°C (72–82°F) and a pH of 6.0–7.6. Native range: South America, Mara?on and Ucayali River basins. Pterygoplichthys scrophus care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentAggressiveCommunity tankGoodAdult size28 cm (11 in)Minimum tank475 L (125 US gal)Temperature22–28°C (72–82°F)pH6.0–7.6Hardness5–19 dGH (89–339 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 4Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific namePterygoplichthys scrophusFamilyLoricariidae (Armored catfishes)OrderSiluriformes (Catfish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length27.5EnvironmentFreshwater; demersalClimateTropicalDistributionSouth America: Mara?on and Ucayali River basins.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmless More catfish & plecosLeporacanthicus triactisAtipaHoplosternum littoraleWidehead catfishClarotes laticepsLeporacanthicus galaxiasPterygoplichthys joselimaianusAcanthicus adonisSee 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