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Definition of sailfin pleco
sailfin pleco
Plural:sailfin plecos
• noun
1
A large species of freshwater armored catfish (Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps) native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America, popular in the aquarium trade for its large, sail-like dorsal fin and algae-eating habits.
Example
"The novice aquarist was surprised to learn that their small sailfin pleco could eventually grow to over eighteen inches long and outgrow the starter tank."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for sailfin pleco• Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sailfin pleco. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sailfin%20pleco