Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Castelnau, 1855) [N]—Amazon sailfin catfish

Taxonomy. Original description: Hypostomus pardalis Castelnau, 1855: 42, Pl. 20 (fig. 3) [Amazon River, Brazil; holotype (unique): MNHN A-9574].— Iraq synonyms: Liposarcus pardalis (Castelnau, 1855) .—Revisions: Isbrücker (1980: 42).—Illustration: Castelnau (1855: pl. 20, fig. 3).

Status in Iraq. First record from Iraq by Qasim & Jawad (2022). — Iraq materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Iraq: Shatt al-Arab River.—General distribution: South America:Amazon River basin (Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru). Introduced in Italy, Turkey, and Asia; established in Florida and Puerto Rico (U.S.A.), Central America (Guatemala, Costa Rica), Colombia and Sri Lanka.— Habitat: This species preferably inhabits quiet, shallow waters in mud-bottomed and sand-bottomed canals and ponds. Freshwater.

Economic importance. Valuable for the aquarium trade.

Reasons of introduction. Ornamental fish industry.

Conservation. Not relevant (introduced species).