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| NAS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species |
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Common Name: Orinoco sailfin catfish
Taxonomy: available through 
Identification: Weber (1991, 1992) assigned sailfin catfishes to three genera and used the name Liposarcus multiradiatus for this species (a name used in some of the more recent literature). 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. A few distinguishing characteristics also were given by Page and Burr (1991) and Page (1994).
Size: 70 cm.
Native Range:
Tropical America. Orinoco River basin in northern South America.
Nonindigenous Occurrences: This catfish is known from various canals and water bodies in south Florida within Dade, Palm Beach, Martin, and Broward counties (Courtenay and Stauffer 1990; Page 1994; Nico, unpublished data). It is established in Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS 2005). The species was first reported from Hawaii in Wahiawa Reservoir, Oahu, in January 1986; it had become one of the most abundant fish in the reservoir by 1989; it also is established in Kaukonahua Stream, Oahu (Devick 1988, 1991b). The fish is widely distributed in lower elevation reservoirs and streams on northern Oahu (Devick 1988, 1989; Mundy 2005; Hoover 2004).
Means of Introduction: This armored catfish has been collected in southeastern Florida since about 1971 (Courtenay et al. 1984). Its presence is most likely the result of escapes or releases from aquarium fish farms (Courtenay and Stauffer 1990). In Hawaii, introductions are presumably the result of aquarium releases that occurred in the 1980s, possibly as early as 1982 (Devick 1991b).
Status: Established in Florida and Hawaii. Recent surveys in Florida indicate its range may be expanding (Nico, unpublished data).
Impact of Introduction: Largely unknown. In Hawaii, the thousands of nesting tunnels excavated by male Pterygoplichthys in reservoir and stream banks have contributed to siltation problems (Devick 1989). Because of their abundance in Hawaii, Pterygoplichthys and other armored catfishes have the potential to affect native stream species negatively through competition for food and space (Devick 1989). In Florida, this species occupies waters adjacent to Everglades National Park and is considered a threat to the park (Courtenay 1989).
Remarks:
Many early reports of Hypostomus from south Florida, and some from the Tampa area, may have been based on misidentifications of Pterygoplichthys (Loftus and Kushlan 1987; Ludlow and Walsh 1991).
Voucher specimens: Florida (UF many specimens).
Courtenay, W. R., Jr. 1989. Exotic fishes in the National Park System. Pages 237-252 in L. K. Thomas, editor. Proceedings of the 1986 conference on science in the national parks, volume 5. Management of exotic species in natural communities. U.S. National Park Service and George Wright Society, Washington, DC.
Courtenay, W. R., Jr., and J. R. Stauffer, Jr.. 1990. The introduced fish problem and the aquarium fish industry. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 21(3):145-159.
Courtenay, W. R., Jr., D. A. Hensley, J. N. Taylor, and J. A. McCann. 1984. Distribution of exotic fishes in the continental United States. Pages 41-77 in W. R. Courtenay, Jr., and J. R. Stauffer, Jr., editors. Distribution, biology and management of exotic fishes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.
Devick, W. S. 1988. Disturbances and fluctuations in the Wahiawa Reservoir ecosystem. Project F-14-R-12, Job 4, Study I. Division of Aquatic Resources, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. 48 pp.
Devick, W. S. 1989. Disturbances and fluctuations in the Wahiawa Reservoir ecosystem. Project F-14-R-13, Job 4, Study I. Division of Aquatic Resources, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. 30 pp.
Devick, W. S. 1991b. Patterns of introductions of aquatic organisms to Hawaiian freshwater habitats. Pages 189-213 in new directions in research, management and conservation of Hawaiian freshwater stream ecosystems. Proceedings of the 1990 symposium on freshwater stream biology and fisheries management, Division of Aquatic Resources, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Loftus, W. F., and J. A. Kushlan. 1987. Freshwater fishes of southern Florida. Bulletin of the Florida State Museum of Biological Science 31(4):255.
Ludlow, M. E., and S. J. Walsh. 1991. Occurrence of a South American armored catfish in the Hillsborough River, Florida. Florida Scientist 54(1):48-50
Page, 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
Revision Date: 4/21/2006 Citation for this information:
Leo Nico. 2009. Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL.
<http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=768> Revision Date: 4/21/2006
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