This species will grow to a maximum length of 43 centimetres (17 in) SL and reach a weight of 310 g.[1] It is sometimes confused with the Hypostomus plecostomus (another armored catfish known as the "common plecostomus").

[5] The species is native to the Amazon River Basin of Brazil and Peru, preferring pH ranges of 7.0–7.5.

The Amazon sailfin catfish has been introduced to a number of countries outside its native range.

[6][7][8][9] In the United States, invasive populations of sailfin catfishes like the Amazon sailfin catfish have been observed to be ecologically detrimental, as they disrupt aquatic food chains, decrease the abundance of native aquatic species, and degrade aquatic plants or banks of waterbodies through burrowing and tunneling.

It is believed that they are dumped into Malaysian rivers and lakes by aquarium owners when it is too big for their fish tanks.