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| NAS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species |
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Common Name: vermiculated sailfin catfish
Taxonomy: available through 
Identification:
Weber (1991, 1992) assigned sailfin catfishes to three genera and described this species as new under the name Liposarcus disjunctivus. Armbruster (1997), after a detailed systematic review, placed the genus Liposarcus into the synonymy of Pterygoplichthys. Weber (1992) provided a key and distinguishing characteristics and photographs of specimens. Page (1994) also provided a few distinguishing characteristics. Measurements and counts for several Florida specimens were given by Ludlow and Walsh (1991).
The dorsal pattern consists of light spots that become chevrons posteriorly. The abdominal pattern has dark and light vermiculations of equal width (Howells 2005).
Size: 70 cm.
Native Range:
Tropical America. The Madeira River drainage, Amazon Basin, South America (Weber 1992).
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Hawaii |
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Interactive maps: Continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, Caribbean
This species is known from streams, canals and other water bodies, in Florida. Published records document its presence in several sites in Hillsborough County, including the Hillsborough River drainage, Hillsborough County, Florida (Ludlow and Walsh 1991, referenced as Pterygoplichthys cf. multiradiatus; Page 1994) and Lake Thonotosassa and Baker Creek (Page 1994; museum specimens). More recent records include the Little Manatee, Alafia, Peace, Kissimmee, Myakka, Lake Okeechobee, and Withlacoochee river drainages, and several other streams and lakes in the central part of the state (Page 1994; Fuller et al. 1999; L.G. Nico, unpublished data; Charlotte Harbor NEP 2004; Nico 2005).
A single specimen was collected from the Pearl River in Mississippi in 1992 (MMNS 2862) (T. Slack and J. Hoover, pers. comm.). It has also been collected in Julian Reservoir, North Carolina (W. Starnes, pers. comm.), and Long Lake near Olympia, Washington (K. Aitkin, pers. comm.).
Means of Introduction: In Florida, probably originally introduced through fish farm escapes or releases, although aquarium releases cannot be ruled out. Aquarium releases in other areas.
Status: Established in Florida, the species has recently expanded its range into several new drainages within the state (Nico, unpublished data). Established in North Carolina. Collected in Mississippi and Washington.
Impact of Introduction: Largely unknown. In several natural streams in this species is relatively abundant. Because it grazes and removes attached algae, and also feeds on benthic organisms and detritous, this introduced catfish may be having a significant impact on the aquatic food base and, therefore, negatively effecting native invertebrate and vertebrate species (Nico, personal observations).
Remarks:
Prior to its description, specimens of this species taken in Florida (Tampa Bay area) were reported as Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus or, in some earlier cases, as Hypostomus species. Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus specimens from the Hillsborough River drainage of Florida were tentatively identified as Pterygoplichthys cf. multiradiatus by Ludlow and Walsh (1991). Page (1994) followed Weber (1992) in using the name Liposarcus disjunctivus. The distribution and impact of this species in Florida, and that of other introduced armored catfishes, is currently being investigated by U.S. Geological Survey researchers.
Voucher specimens: Florida (UF 79623, 89896; many uncatalogued; FDNR 18185).
Charlotte Harbor NEP. 2004. Minutes of the Technical Advisory Committee, Habitat Conservation Subcommittee. February 19, 2004, Punta Gorda.
Fuller, P.L., L.G. Nico, and J.D. Williams. 1999. Nonindigenous Fishes Introduced into Inland Waters of the United States. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 27. American Fisheries Society.
Howells, R. 2005. Exotic suckermouth catfishes (Family Loricariidae) in Texas waters. Ludlow, M. E., and S. J. Walsh. 1991. Occurrence of a South American armored catfish in the Hillsborough River, Florida. Florida Scientist 54(1):48-50Page, L. M. 1994. Identification of sailfin catfishes introduced to Florida. Florida Scientist 57(4):171-172.
Weber, C. 1992. Révision du genre Pterygoplichthys sensu lato (Pisces, Siluriformes, Loricariidae). Revue Francaise d'Aquariologie 19:1-36.
Other Resources:
Suckermouth catfishes: threat to aquatic ecosystems of the United States. Army Corps of Engineers
Exotic Catfish a Threat To Lake's Dikes, Levees
Native and Exotic Catfish of Florida Part II (see pg 6)
Author: Leo Nico and Pam Fuller
Revision Date: 3/17/2008 Citation for this information:
Leo Nico and Pam Fuller. 2009. Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL.
<http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=767> Revision Date: 3/17/2008
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