David’s Janitor Fish caught in Laguna

Common Name:   Amazon Sailfin Catfish, Pleco, Suckermouth Catfish, 

Local Name:   Janitor Fish (Tagalog);  ??? (Cebuano)

Max Size:  70 cm

Biodiversity: Freshwater,

Depth:  ?? m

Fishing Season:  All Year Long

Minimum Size Limit:   none

Recommended Bait/Lures:  Algae, Doughbait

IUCN Red List Status:  Not Evaluated (NE)

  Two species of this catfish have been identified around Metro Manila and Laguna Province; Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus and Pterygoplichthys pardalis. 

I took some friends fishing at a nearby pond the other day.  We used worms for a while with no luck, so I switched to my Thai Masa (rice bran mixed with coconut milk and magic sarap) to see if we could get any takers.  I had a lot of takes but no hook ups (probably because my rigging was not that great.  One of my little friends managed to hook this Janitor fish or Pleco.  It was the largest janitor I have seen and put up a good fight for the little angler.  It was hooked in the mouth, so I dont think it was a snag.  They can be caught 🙂