Loricariidae identification key

[achirus]

Photograph of one of the specimens collected

Hello:
I do fish research in the NW Mexico and we have found an armored catfish as an invasive species in a small lagoon. It looks like a Pterygoplichthys sp, but I need to be certain that this is the genus, and also I need to know the species. So far I have not been able to get hold of an identification key to this Family, so if anybody could point me to the right direction, I will be very grateful.

[Birger]

Check your email...should get you started.

Also look here in this link http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... 14&t=24602

If you need more than this let us know...we will try to help.



Birger

[Suckermouth]

It looks to be

Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus

.

http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_ ... y/key.html

Above is an online key for the Loricariidae, which links to the pages for genera. You are indeed looking at a Pterygoplichthys, and there is a key to species on his site as well:

http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_ ... erygo.html