Amazon sailfin catfish
A large freshwater armored catfish from South America, often kept in aquariums and known as an invasive pest elsewhere.
The Amazon sailfin catfish is a tropical freshwater fish native to the Amazon Basin. It is widely traded for home aquaria but has become an invasive species in regions like the Philippines and Malaysia where it disrupts local ecosystems.
- Grows up to 43 cm long and weighs 310 g.
- Native to the Amazon River Basin in Brazil and Peru.
- Can breathe air directly from the water surface.
- Considered an invasive pest in the Philippines and US.
- Often released into wild waters by aquarium owners.
What it is
This species belongs to the armored catfish family and is a tropical freshwater fish. Adults reach a maximum standard length of 43 centimetres and can weigh up to 310 grams. Aquarists often call it the common pleco or leopard pleco due to its spotted pattern. It is sometimes confused with Hypostomus plecostomus, which has fewer dorsal rays, or Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus. An albino variation exists, marketed as the Albino Plecostomus or chocolate pleco.
Where it lives
The fish originates from the Amazon River Basin in Brazil and Peru, thriving in waters with a pH between 7.0 and 7.5. It has been introduced to several other countries. In the Philippines, it is found in the Marikina River, where it is known locally as the janitor fish. Populations in the United States are considered invasive and ecologically harmful. The species also established itself in Malaysia after being imported in the 1970s.
How it lives
It is a bottom-dwelling fish that acts as a facultative air breather. This means it can surface to breathe atmospheric air when dissolved oxygen levels drop or during dry periods. In non-native areas like the United States, these catfish disrupt aquatic food chains. They degrade waterbody banks through burrowing and tunneling, which decreases native species abundance and damages aquatic plants.
Fish and people
The Amazon sailfin catfish is popular in the aquarium trade. In Malaysia, hobbyists imported them in the 1970s, but many owners release oversized fish into rivers and lakes. This practice has led to invasive populations. In the Philippines, the fish is sold in bulk as part of efforts to remove it from local waterways due to its status as a pest.
Status and threats
Invasive populations cause ecological damage by disrupting food chains and degrading habitats. In the United States, they decrease native species abundance. In Malaysia and the Philippines, human activity drives their spread through aquarium releases. Control measures include bulk removal in the Philippines. The species remains least concern globally due to its stable native range.
Questions people ask about Amazon sailfin catfish
What is the difference between this fish and the common plecostomus?
They belong to different genera and have distinct dorsal ray counts. Pterygoplichthys pardalis has 11 to 13 dorsal rays, whereas Hypostomus plecostomus has only 5 to 8 rays. Visual identification requires checking these fin structures carefully.
Why is it called the janitor fish?
In the Philippines, particularly in the Marikina River, it is known as the janitor fish. This name likely stems from its role in cleaning algae or debris, though it has become a local pest requiring bulk removal efforts.
How does it survive low oxygen levels?
It is a facultative air breather. When dissolved oxygen is too low or during dry periods, it swims to the surface to gulp atmospheric air, allowing it to survive in stagnant or depleted water conditions.
Is there a white version of this catfish?
Yes, an albino color variation exists. It is usually referred to as the Albino Plecostomus in the trade. Some sources also mention an amelanistic form sold under the name chocolate pleco.
Good reading and sources
- Pterygoplichthys pardalis on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Pterygoplichthys pardalis", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
Like Amazon sailfin catfish
All catfishes
🇧🇴 Bolivia and 4 moreRipsaw catfish
Large thorny catfish native to South American rivers.Catfish · Rivers and lakes
🇺🇸 United StatesBlack bullhead
A small, hardy North American catfish that tolerates poor water conditions and feeds at night.Catfish · Rivers and lakes
🇧🇷 Brazil and 4 moreRedtail catfish
A large South American catfish known for its red tail and popularity in the aquarium trade.Catfish · Rivers and lakes
Sub-Saharan AfricaSynodontis
A large African genus of spotted catfish known for squeaking sounds and belly-up swimming.Catfish · Rivers and lakes
More from Loricariidae
All of them
🇻🇪 Venezuela and 1 moreOtocinclus
Small South American armored catfishes known for algae eating and air breathing.Catfish · Rivers and lakes
WorldWhiskered twig catfish
Slender South American armored catfish genusCatfish · Rivers and lakes
🇧🇷 Brazil and 1 moreAncistrus
A genus of small, nocturnal freshwater catfish native to South America and Panama.Catfish · Rivers and lakes
WorldHypostomus plecostomus
A tropical armored catfish from South America, kept in aquariums for algae control.Catfish · Rivers and lakes · 1758