NANFA-- OT: Early Imports of "Plecostomus"

Hoover, Jan J ERDC-EL-MS (HOOVERJ_at_wes.army.mil)
Fri, 18 Jul 2003 16:06:58 -0500

I am looking for old aquarium literature that would document the period when
Hypostomus (plecostomus) and Pterygoplichthys (sailfin catfishes) were first
imported into the United States (as display specimens in public aquaria or
as specimens for hobbyists) and when they became popular in the aquarium
hobby. I know that Hypostomus were pretty well-established by the 1940s but
am clueless about Pterygoplichthys. A few articles that I have from "The
Aquarium" in the 1960s do not address sailfins or just show a captioned
photo.

If anyone has any references on this, I would really appreciate learning
about them. First-hand accounts from old-timers would also be of interest.
Since this is off-topic, you can email me offline. Thanks.

- Jan
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