List of Plecos Under 8"

[Proflooney]

I always see ppl asking abt plecos for their tanks. This is a List I developed of plecos under 8" so that people can go down the list and find some smaller varieties of Plecos that would be suitable for their setups.

The list is in order from smallest to largest. Now I know there may be some I am missing but As long as you give the info for the fish in a manner as I have it it will help the others. Some of my sizes may be different than what some people may think but I verified all my dimensions from recognized sources like Seriously Fishy and Planet Catfish.

01. Pitbull Pleco LDA25 2.0" 50mm

02. Hypancistrus sp. L129 2.8" 70mm

03. Imperial Pleco, zebra pleco, L046, L098, L173 3.2" 80mm

04. Leopard Peckoltia, L008 3.2" 80mm

05. Blue 'Panaque' L239, (Baryancistrus beggini) 3.2" 80mm

06. Hypancistrus sp. L136, L136a, L136b, L136c 3.5" 90mm

07. Queen Arabesque Pleco L260 (Hypancistrus sp.) 3.5" 90mm

08. Peckoltia sp. L288 4.0" 100mm

09. Peckoltia sp. L243, LDA086 4.0" 100mm

10. clown pleco, Ringlet Pleco, L104, L162, LDA22 4.0" 100mm

11. Tiger ''Peckoltia'', L002, L074 4.0" 100mm

12. Candy Striped Pleco, L015 4.0" 100mm

13. Chocolate Zebra Pleco, L270, L307, LDA76 4.0" 100mm

14. Brown Dot Peckoltia, L006 4.0" 100mm

15. Angelicus Pleco, L004, L005, L028, L073 4.0" 100mm

16. Striped Bulldog Pleco, L444, L187b (Chaetostoma formosae) 4.2" 105mm

17. Leopard Frog Pleco, L134 4.4" 110mm

18. Spectracanthicus sp. L254 4.4" 110mm

19. Dekeyseria sp., Butterfly Pleco L052 4.8" 120mm

20. King Tiger Pleco, Network Pleco, Scribbled Pleco, L066 4.8" 120mm

21. Panaque sp. L306, LDA64 4.8" 120mm

22. Bristlenose Catfish, Common Bristlenose Catfish, 5.0" 125mm

23. Medusa Pleco, L034 5.2"130mm

24. Spotted Medusa Pleco, L255 5.2" 130mm

25. Flash Pleco, L204 5.2" 130mm

26. Peckoltia sp. L076, L099 5.6" 140mm

27. Flounder Pleco, L168 5.6" 140mm

28. Hypancistrus sp.L333 6.0" 150mm

29. Peckoltia sp. L147 6.0" 150mm

30. Ancistrini sp. L016 6.0" 150mm

31. Para Pleco, L075, L124, L301, LDA02 6.0" 150mm

32. Hypancistrus sp. ,L333 6.0" 150mm

33. Green Phantom Pleco, Lemon spotted Green Pleco, L200 6.0" 150mm

34. Snowball Pleco (Hypancistrus sp.) L102 6.4" 160mm

35. Hemiancistrus sp. L128 7.2" 180mm

36. Gold Nugget Pleco, L081 (Baryancistrus sp. cf. xanthellus) 7.2" 180mm

37. Glyptoperichthys joselimaianus, L001, L022 8.0" 200mm

38. Starlight Bristlenose Catfish, L183 8.0" 200mm

 

[Proflooney]

I will find profiles on here for you and put a link to them here or create them if I cant find them.

 

[fort384]

If you wade through and find links and post here, I will update the original post with links as you go since it will lock for editing for you in about a half hour. That way it will be a one stop shop.

Thanks for creating a useful reference for our members.

 

[Proflooney]

I was thinking why done I post the info for each fish here giving proper credit to the original poster of course so that all the info is in one thread as we know sometimes things happen and can get accidentally lost

 

[Proflooney]

1:

Submitted by Proflooney

LDA025, Pitbull Pleco

Synonyms: Parotocinclus jumbo

Common Names: Goby Pleco, Pitbull Pleco (Germany)

Category: Species Plecostimus

Family: (Scientific Genus)

Origin: Brazil, Paraíba, Rio Paraíba do Norte, at Bridge on road PB 408, North West of Umbuzeiro.

Main Ecosystem:

It is known from the following rivers:

Rio Paraíba do Norte (Paraíba State).

Rio Canhotinho (Pernambuco State)

A tributary of the Rio Mundaú, flowing near the city of Maceió (Alagoas State).

Rio Salgado, tributary of the Rio Jaguaribe at Icó (Ceará State).

Paraíba do Norte

Canhotinho

Ceará State Rivers, Mundaú

Piauí Rivers, Salgado

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperament: A very good citizen. Avoid keeping it with larger fish that would eat it. Should be kept in groups.

Diet: Mainly vegetarian. It will make gravel roll between its lips to remove organic matters. It accepts vegetables, or commercially prepared food such as Spirulina tabs. It will eat, once in a while, animal protein such as bloodworm but this should not be the bulk of the main diet.

Care: Use a fine, sandy bottom as this species likes to bury itself when alarmed. Driftwood is a good idea, and plants can be kept as they will not be eaten. In the wild, P. jumbo is collected from flat areas in the middle course of the river. These are shallow, clear waters with low current, sandy and rocky bottoms, and marginal vegetation.

pH: 6.4 - 7.6

Temperature: 20.0-26.0°C or 68-78.8°F

Hardness: (The complete range of carbonate hardness)

Potential size: 50mm (2")

Water Region: This species spends most of its time on the bottom, they hardly venture onto different surfaces except to feed.

Activity: (ie: Diurnal)

Lifespan: (Expected lifespan of the fish)

Color: Different shade of grey, ranging from medium to dark grey, with some greenish and golden shades. Its bigger adult size and blunter forehead compared to other Parotocinclus make it straightforward to ID.

Sexing: Males have longer pelvic fins, the tip of which extends beyond the origin of the anal fin, the urogenital papilla is positioned just after the anal opening in males. In females the tip of the pelvic fin does not reach the anal fin origin and the urogenital duct opens to the inner cloacal cavity.

Acclimation: (How to acclimate the fish to your tank – Include details of methods used)

Breeding: Similar to many Corydoras species

Comments:

Sources: Britski, H. A., Garavello, J. C.Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, Volume 13, N°3, 2002.
Schraml, E. Das Aquarium, March 96.

 

[Proflooney]

2:

Submitted by Proflooney

Hypancistrus debilittera

Synonyms: L129

Common Names: L129

Category: Species Plecostimus

Family: A contraction of the Greek hypo (meaning less than) and ancistrus, an allusion to the reduced number of teeth (particularly in the lower jaw) found in this genus. A combination of the Latin debilis meaning weak and littera meaning letter, in reference to the weak or absent E on the snout.

Origin: Rio Bita, tributary of the Rio Orinoco, up of Puerto Careño, Colombia Orinoco, Middle Orinoco, Bita (click on these areas to find other species found there)

Main Ecosystem: Pasaganado, 38 kilometers north of San Fernando de Atabapo, 4°23'04''N, 67°46'28''W, Río Orinoco, Amazonas, Venezuela

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: Its small size makes it a good citizen for small tanks. Males are more territorial than females and are territorial toward conspecifics and other Loricariidae of about the same size.

Diet: Omnivore. They still seem to prefer meaty foods such as blood worms, gammarus or brine shrimps. Commercially prepared food such as Spirulina tabs are also eaten.

Care: na

pH: 6.4 - 7.6

Temperature: 24.0-28.0°C or 75.2-82.4°F

Hardness: (The complete range of carbonate hardness)

Potential size: 70mm (2.8")

Water Region: This species spends most of its time on the bottom, they hardly venture onto different surfaces except to feed.

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color: Dark brown base coloration with fine yellowish stripe. Rather large eyes compared with the body length (like Hypancistrus inspector. A small mouth with typical Hypancistrus dentition.

Sexing: Typical of the genus; males have longer pectoral and interopercular odontodes, they also have plate odontodes on the body. Females are rounder in the ventral region.

Acclimation: na

Breeding: Females lay about 20 eggs of about 3mm in diameter in a cave. Brood guarded by the male in the cave. Raising of the young is unproblematic if a good hygiene is provided.

Comments:

Sources: Copeia 2007(1) 62-79

 

[Proflooney]

3:

Submitted by Proflooney

Hypancistrus zebra

Synonyms: L046, L098

Common Names: Zebra Plec0

Category: Species Plecostimus

Family: na

Origin: Rio Xingú basin, Brazil.

Main Ecosystem: It inhabits flowing, highly oxygenated waters running over sandy substrates that are scattered with rocks and stones. The fish are found in deep water, in crevices among the rubble.

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: in terms of temperament it’s a decent match for many other fish, as it has a peaceful enough nature. In truth though, it’s not really a good species for the general community tank. It needs high temperatures and oxygen levels, pristine water conditions, and is shy and easily outcompeted for food by more vigorous feeders. Some success has been had keeping it with both discus and some dwarf cichlid species due to their similar temperature requirements, but ideally it should be maintained alone in a biotope setup as described above. If you must have tankmates, choose species that appreciate similar conditions and don’t feed from the bottom. Possibilities include some small characins (rummy-nose tetras, phantom tetras etc.), cyprinids (harlequin rasboras are particularly good), Otocinclus and in a planted tank, red cherry shrimp (Neocaridina denticulata sinensis).

It’s territorial with conspecifics and other similar species, so it should certainly be the only bottom dweller in the tank. If you’re keeping a group ensure there are plenty of hiding places.


Diet: Except when juvenile, these prefer a meaty diet. This can consist of live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, chopped mussel and prawn and sinking dried foods. Algae and other vegetable matter is not often taken, but the occasional slice of cucumber or courgette might be nibbled at.

Care: na

pH: 6.0 - 7.5

Temperature: 79-86°F (26-30°C)

Hardness: 2-15°H

Potential size: 3.2" (8cm)

Water Region: This species spends most of its time on the bottom, they hardly venture onto different surfaces except to feed.

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color: Dark brown base coloration with fine yellowish stripe. Rather large eyes compared with the body length (like Hypancistrus inspector. A small mouth with typical Hypancistrus dentition.

Sexing: Mature males develop odontotes on their first pectoral ray, which females lack. The same ray is also thicker in males. When viewed from above the head of the male is also broader than that of the female.

Acclimation: na

Breeding: Quite often bred in the hobby. It will sometimes spawn in the community tank if conditions are to its liking. If you want to raise a full brood of these, and exercise a degree of control over the situation, it’s best to set up a separate spawning tank. The best way to obtain a pair is to buy a group of at least 6 fish and grow them on together, so something around 36″ x 12″ x 12″ will be needed (along with a lot of cash!). If the fish are sexable, try to achieve a ratio of 2-3 females per male.

Furnish the tank with plenty of caves and refuges to act as potential spawning sites. These can be formed from rock piles, small flowerpots with a piece chipped from the rim, lengths of pvc piping etc. What is important, is that the entrances must be only slightly larger than the fish and that some degree of water flow should pass by them. Provide well-oxygenated water, with lots of movement, a pH of 6.5-7.5, and a temperature of 82-86°F. There’s no need to use a substrate.

Condition the fish with plenty of live or frozen foods. When in spawning condition the males will choose caves and defend them against other males, whilst trying to entice females inside. A successful male may spend several days inside the cave with a female before the eggs are laid and fertilised. The female plays no further part in broodcare after this and is forced out of the cave by the male. He then assumes sole responsibility for defending the cave against intruders and for tending to the eggs, which usually number between 7 and 15. This he does diligently, fanning them vigorously with his fins and guarding the cave entrance against all comers. Some breeders prefer to remove the eggs at this point and rear them in a container hung inside the main tank, with an airstone providing the necessary aeration.

The eggs hatch in around a week, and the fry will feed from their enormous yolk sacs for a further 2 or 3 days. After this they need heavy feedings of microworm or brine shrimp nauplii. They will also graze on sinking dried foods. It’s important that food is available at all times, as the fry are voracious feeders and can easily starve if not provided with a constant supply of food. They can be left in the spawning tank if you wish, as the adults will not harm them, or moved to a separate rearing tank containing identical water.

If you’re having trouble spawning it, try conducting a large (50-70%) water change with cool water, simulating the infux of colder water the rainy season brings in nature. Repeat this every 2 or 3 days and you may be rewarded with a spawn.


Comments: To appreciate it at its best, it really should be kept in a biotope setup, consisting of a sandy substrate over which is scattered lots of smooth pebbles and rocks of varying sizes. A few driftwood branches would add to the effect, and a powerhead or two at one end of the tank will provide the necessary water movement and oxygenation.

Sources: Seriously Fishy site

 

[Proflooney]

4:

Submitted by Proflooney

Peckoltia sp.

Synonyms: L008

Common Names: Leopard Peckoltia

Category: Species Plecostimus

Family:

Origin: Brazil: Rio do Pará at Oeiras do Pará
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Tocantins, Lower Tocantins, Pará

Main Ecosystem: Rock piles and wood tangles. Plants are not vital.

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: Peaceful if a little territorial. As a rough guide give each fish a 12 inch square area well broken up with decorations.

Diet: Omnivorous with a tendency towards meaty foods. Not an effective algae eater. Well fed individuals will not damage most plants.

Care: na

pH: na

Temperature: 79-86°F (26-30°C)

Hardness: na
Potential size: 80mm (3.1")

Water Region: This species spends most of its time on the bottom, they hardly venture onto different surfaces except to feed.

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color: Often labelled as ''Leopard Peckoltia''. Similar to L006 but with irregular smaller spots and blotches.

Sexing: Males develop small teeth-like odontodes which adorn the leading pectoral fin rays and the back half of the fishes body. Females remain unadorned and have a wider girth across the body most evident when the area just behind the pectoral fins is viewed from above.

Acclimation: na

Breeding: Cave spawner.

Comments:

Sources: DATZ 12/1998, pp 556-558.

 

[Proflooney]

5.


Submitted by Proflooney

Baryancistrus beggini

Synonyms: L239

Common Names: Blue 'Panaque'

Category: Species Plecostimus

Order: Siluriformes

Family: Loricariidae

Origin: Known only from the area around the confluence of the río Ventauri with the río Orinoco in Amazonas state, Venezuela, plus the lower río Guaviare, Colombia, which flows into the Orinoco a little further south.


Main Ecosystem: The type series was collected from spaces between granite bedrock and boulders.

Other loricariid species inhabiting the area around the confluence of the Ventauri and Orinoco include Acanthicus hystrix, Ancistrus macrophthalmus, Baryancistrus demantoides, Hemiancistrus subviridis, Hemiancistrus guahiborum, Hypancistrus contradens, Hypancistrus debilittera, Hypancistrus furunculus, Hypancistrus lunaorum, Lasiancistrus schomburgkii, Leporacanthicus galaxias, Leporacanthicus triactis, Panaque nigrolineatus, Peckoltia vittata, Pseudancistrus orinoco, Pseudancistrus pectegenitor, Pseudancistrus sidereus, Pseudolithoxus anthrax, Pseudolithoxus dumus, and Pseudolithoxus tigris.


Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: Relatively peaceful but not recommended for the ‘general’ community aquarium due to its somewhat delicate nature.

Keep it alone or perhaps alongside some small characids that will not compete with it for food or territory.

It’s territorial with conspecifics and similar-looking species, with this behaviour being particularly pronounced among males, but due to its small size several can be kept together in many cases.

Diet: Gut analyses of wild specimens revealed the diet to be composed chiefly of periphyton and associated microorganisms, meaning this species is not as herbivorous as some other members of the genus (see ‘Notes’).

In the aquarium aufwuchs should be allowed to colonise all surfaces except the viewing pane so that the fish can browse naturally although the diet should of course be supplemented with high-quality sinking dried foods (preferably with added vegetable content), live or frozen bloodworm, mosquito larvae and similar, plus the occasional defrosted prawn or shrimp.

Home-made, gelatine-bound recipes containing a mixture of puréed fish food, shellfish, fruit and vegetables, are also proven to work well and in many ways represent the ideal staple diet since the ingredients can be altered at will.

When made well such foods contain a greater concentration and diversity of nutrients than any of the other options.

Baryancistrus spp. are often under-nourished and/or suffering from health issues post-importation and may require an extended period of quarantine and acclimatisation.

They also have a relatively high metabolic rate and may require several meals per day during the initial period.


Care: na

pH: 5.5 – 7.5

Temperature: 79-86°F (26-30°C)

Hardness: 18 – 179 ppm

Potential size: The largest specimen in the type series measured 80.9 mm.

Water Region: bottom dweller

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color:

Sexing: Adult males develop relatively longer odontotes on the opercles and pectoral-fin spines, and possibly display a greater degree of blue pigmentation than females.

Sexually-mature females are slightly wider-bodied than males, this being more noticeable when gravid.


Acclimation: na

Breeding: Cave spawner. The female is ejected post-spawning and the male guards and tends the eggs.


Comments: Prior to description this species was traded under the L-number L239.

It can be distinguished from other species in the genus and other hypostomines (see below for definition of this grouping) by its uniformly black to brownish body and fin colouration with a turquoise to bluish sheen, and the acutely bent shape of midventral body plates 3-5 which form a distinctive keel running along the body, above the pectoral fins.

Placement in Baryancistrus can only be considered tentative, however, since it exhibits several notable differences to other members of the grouping.

This was noted by Lujan et al. in its description and it may be moved elsewhere in the future, pending results of more detailed comparative studies between related species.

The genus Baryancistrus can be distinguished from all other loricariids by possession of an enlarged membrane located posteriorly to the last branched dorsal-fin ray.

This membrane may or may not reach the supporting structure of the adipose fin (it does so in B. beggini) and in this way members can be told apart from the genera Oligancistrus, Parancistrus, and Spectracanthicus, in which the dorsal and adipose fins are completely connected, and Hemiancistrus in which the membrane is not well-developed.

The family Loricariidae is the largest among catfishes with over 700 species described to date and many awaiting description.

The latter are typically assigned a specific ‘L’ number by hobbyists and scientists alike in order to provide a basic means of identification, although in some cases several species have been referred to the same number, or multiple numbers have been used for different populations of a single taxon.

All loricariids are also commonly referred to as ‘pleco’, ‘plecostomus’, or ‘suckermouth armoured catfishes’.

The closer relationships of member genera have long been of interest to icthyologists but in numerous cases remain unresolved.

Isbrücker (1980) was the first to propose an arrangement of six subfamilies, namely Lithogeneinae, Neoplecostominae, Hypostominae, Ancistrinae, Hypoptopomatinae, and Loricariinae, and this model was generally followed until publication of Armbruster’s morphological analysis in 2004.

His phylogeny also contained six subfamiles, with Isbrücker’™s (1980) Ancistrinae being included as one of five tribes comprising Hypostominae.

This was later modified slightly by Reis et al. (2006) and an adapted version of their key is reproduced here:

1a. No lateral and dorsal plates anterior to the dorsal fin: Lithogeneinae
1b. Possession of lateral plates anterior to the dorsal fin (except in Pareioraphis nudulus): 2
2a. Ventral surface of the pectoral girdle exposed (i.e. supporting odontodes) towards the centre of the coracoid strut: Hypoptopomatinae
2b. Ventral surface of the pectoral girdle covered in skin or plates towards the centre of the coracoid strut (odontodes supported by the plates rather than the girdle): 3
3a. Caudal peduncle flattened dorsoventrally; no adipose fin: Loricariinae
3b. Caudal peduncle oval, round, or triangular in cross-section; adipose fin usually present: 4
4a. Postdorsal ridge formed from several preadipose plates arranged singly. Teeth almost symmetrically bifid (divided into two equal parts): Delturinae
4b. Usually no postdorsal ridge. Teeth asymmetrical or unicuspid: 5
5a. Dorsal-fin spinelet V-shaped, dorsal-fin spine can be locked: Hypostominae
5b. Dorsal-fin spinelet rectangular or absent, dorsal-fin spine cannot be locked: Neoplecostominae

Subsequent papers attempting to resolve relationships within the Hypoptopomatinae and Neoplecostominae by Cramer et al. (2008, 2011) have revealed both subfamiles to be polyphyletic arrangements alongside several genera, e.g., Pareiorhaphis, Pareiorhina, Hisonotus, and Parotocinclus, so there is evidently a great deal of work still to be done.

At any rate Baryancistrus is currently considered a member of the tribe Ancistrini within Hypostominae and grouped in the Panaque clade of that tribe, close to Parancistrus and Hemiancistrus.

The sucking disc formed by the mouthparts is common to all representatives but both oral and dental morphology are highly variable depending on a given species‘ ecological adaptation(s). and some even practice xylophagy (wood-eating).

Many are also facultative air-breathers, i.e., they possess the ability to respire atmospheric air if necessary.

Sources: Lujan, N. K., M. Arce, and J. W. Armbruster, 2009 - Copeia 2009(1): 50-56
A new black Baryancistrus with blue sheen from the upper Orinoco (Siluriformes: Loricariidae).

Armbruster, J. W., 2008 - Zootaxa 1822: 1-76
The genus Peckoltia with the description of two new species and a reanalysis of the phylogeny of the genera of the Hypostominae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae).

Armbruster, J. W. , 2004 - Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 141: 1-80
Phylogenetic relationships of the suckermouth armoured catfishes (Loricariidae) with emphasis on the Hypostominae and the Ancistrinae.

Cramer, C. A., A. M. R. Liedke, S. L. Bonatto, and R. E. Reis, 2008 - Bulletin of Fish Biology 9: 51-59
The phylogenetic relationships of the Hypoptopomatinae and Neoplecostominae (Siluriformes: 725 Loricariidae) as inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I sequences.

Cramer, C. A., S. L. Bonatto, and R. E. Reis, 2011 - Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 59(1): 43-52
Molecular phylogeny of the Neoplecostominae and Hypoptopomatinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) using multiple genes.

Rapp Py-Daniel, L. , J. Zuanon, and R. Ribeiro de Oliveira, 2011 - Neotropical Ichthyology 9(2): 241-252
Two new ornamental loricariid catfishes of Baryancistrus from rio Xingu drainage (Siluriformes: Hypostominae).

Reis, R. E., E. H. L. Pereira, and J. W. Armbruster, 2006 - Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 147(2): 277-299
Delturinae, a new loricariid catfish subfamily (Teleostei, Siluriformes), with revisions of Delturus and Hemipsilichthys.

Werneke, D. C. , M. H. Sabaj Pérez, N. K. Lujan and J. W. Armbruster, 2005 - Neotropical Ichthyology 3(4): 533-542
Baryancistrus demantoides and Hemiancistrus subviridis, two new uniquely colored species of catfishes from Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae).

 

[Proflooney]

6.


Submitted by Proflooney

Hypancistrus sp.

Synonyms: L136, L136a, L136b, L136c, LDA05, LDA06

Common Names:

Category: Species Plecostimus

Order:

Family: Loricariidae

Origin: L136 and its variants are collected in the rio Negro basin, Amazonas state, Brazil, and in particular the rio Demini, a northern tributary flowing into the central Negro in the municipality of Barcelos.

Collection details for LDA05 and LDA06 are currently unclear but presumably the same.

Main Ecosystem:

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: A peaceful species which can be maintained in a well-chosen community but should not be maintained alongside other Hypancistrus spp. in order to prevent hybridisation.


Diet: Wild specimens are likely omnivorous but with a preference for aquatic invertebrates and suchlike.

In the aquarium it does best when offered a varied diet comprising sinking dried foods, frozen Daphnia, mosquito larvae, chironomid larvae (bloodworm), and prawn/shrimp, for, example, plus some fresh fruit, parboiled potato, etc.

Home-made foods using a mixture of natural ingredients bound with gelatin are very useful since they can be tailored to contain fresh vegetables, Spirulina and meatier ingredients.


Care: na

pH: 5.0 - 7.0

Temperature: 79-86°F (26-30°C)

Hardness: 18 – 215 ppm

Potential size: 80 – 90 mm.

Water Region: Bottom Dweller

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color: This unidentified ‘species’ is highly variable in terms of colour pattern hence it’s been assigned a series of L-numbers in the past.


Sexing: Adult males possess a broader head plus more extensive odontodes on the leading pectoral-fin rays and interopercular region than females.

Males are also more slender and less stocky than females, a difference which is easily observed when the fish are viewed from above.


Acclimation: na

Breeding: Cave-spawner with the male responsible for brood care. Has been bred regularly in aquaria.



Comments: Not difficult to maintain under the correct conditions; we strongly recommend keeping it in a tank designed to simulate a flowing stream with a substrate of variably-sized rocks, sand, fine gravel, and some water-worn boulders.

This can be further furnished with driftwood branches, terracotta pipes, plant pots, etc., arranged to form a network of nooks, crannies, and shaded spots, thus providing broken lines of sight.

Like many fishes that naturally inhabit running water it’s intolerant to accumulation of organic pollutants and requires spotless water in order to thrive. Weekly water changes of 30-50% tank volume should also be considered routine.

Though torrent-like conditions are unnecessary it does best if there is a high proportion of dissolved oxygen and some water movement in the tank meaning power filter(s), additional powerhead(s), or airstone(s) should be employed as necessary.


Sources:

Armbruster, J. W., 2002 - Copeia 2002(1): 86-92
Hypancistrus inspector: a new species of suckermouth armored catfish (Loricariidae: Ancistrinae).

Armbruster, J. W., N. K. Lujan and D. C. Taphorn, 2007 - Copeia 2007(1): 62-79
Four new Hypancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Amazonas, Venezuela.

Stawikowski, R., A. Werner and I. Seidel, 2004 - DATZ: 1-132

 

[Proflooney]

7:

Submitted by madasafish

Scientific Name: Hypancistrus sp. “L-260” (Order: Siluriformes, Family: Loricariidae)

Common Names: Queen Arabesque, Queen Arabesque Pleco

Region: Rivers in Brazil, South America

Maximum Size: 4" (not counting tail)

pH Range: Should be low-neutral. Planet Catfish recommends 6.4-7.6

Hardness: Prefers soft water, but can be kept and even bred in moderately hard water

Temperature: 72-78F (22-27 C)

Appearance: Like all Loricariid catfish, the head is wide, with the widest part of the body being the pectoral girdle (which lies between the head and the torso). Mouth is ventral (on the bottom), a complicated suction-based alteration of the usual maxilla/mandible jaw present in most higher fishes. Pectoral and pelvic fins are lateral (have migrated completely to the sides). Coloration is stunning: thin white lines interweave with thicker black lines to create a labyrinthine pattern that extends from the head to the tail, but which does not extend to the ventral surface. Because it is a bottom dweller, the fish may alter is color slighltly to blend in, accentuating the white or black areas, and developing blotchy gray patches.

Environment: Should be kept in a tank with plenty of hiding space. These are timid and principally nocturnal fish. They should not be kept with any crustaceans or aggressive cichlids, as they are easily bullied.

Feeding Habits: Omnivorous. Eat both algae from surfaces, and small invertebrates from the substrate. In aquarium, sinking shrimp and algae wafers are best received. Vegetable matter such as cucumbers and squash is moderately well received. For breeding purposes, diet must be various: full of both plant and animal protein.

Distinguishing Sex: Main criteria are the presence and length of interopercular odontes (spines reaching backwards from just in front of the gills) and the presence and length of pectoral fin odontes (these are present on the pectoral spine, the outermost element of the pectoral fin). Both are greatly more visible in male specimens. Fish must be at least 2.5" before sexing is possible, as sexual dimorphism takes time to be expressed.

Behavior: These fish are principally nocturnal, so it is uncommon to see them out during the day. When they do come out, they are very easily scared, and will retreat to a safe haven. They are minimally aggressive, and will not bother other tank mates, as they fulfill their own, fairly particular niche in the aquarium. They are benthic fish, meaning that they allow their bodies to rest on the substrate or on rocks, leaves and branches.

Breeding: Like most Loricariid catfish, Hypancistrus sp. L-260 receives its breeding trigger from water temperature changes. In Brazil, the fish's breeding is triggered by the monsoons, which bring cool water (roughly 60 degrees fahrenheit) to the rivers they inhabit. Breeding must occur in a properly-equipped tank. The fish will choose a small alcove to breed in. This can be created best by a piece of 2" diameter PVC piping, by resting pieces of slate at an angle on top of each other, or by overlapping pieces of ceramic tile. 50% of water must be changed daily for a week, and replaced with soft water at 60 degrees. Allow the heaters to bring the water temperature back up to normal afterwards. Then, the tank must be left alone, and as undisturbed as possible, for a week. The male will pair with the female, and she will lay her eggs in the PVC pipe (etc). The male then protects the eggs until they hatch, fanning them with his fins to oxygenate them. When the eggs hatch, the male continues to defend them aggressively. If the routine of water changes does not work the first time, wait 1-2 weeks and attempt again. It may take several months for the females to carry developed eggs and be fully ready to breed. As noted above, a diet of both animal and plant material must be maintained to keep the fish healthy and willing to breed.

Lifespan: 10+ years.

This is a beautiful and interesting catfish. Though one of the more popular and moderately available Loricariids, the Queen Arabesque is nonetheless one of the most breathtaking. It rivals the Mega Clown Peckoltia (L-340), King Tiger (L-66 and L-333) and even the Zebra Pleco (L-46) in patterning, and is particularly suited to smaller aquaria due to its maximum size of four inches.

The Queen Arabesque, like many other Hypancistrus, Baryancistrus and other Loricariids, is commonly misperceived as a vegetarian. The fact that these fish scale the walls of the tank, and suck some amount of algae off of any ornaments, causes many owners to believe that these fish eat only algae, when they are, in fact, omnivorous.

My experience with QAs has been nothing but positive. They have survived very well in my tanks (I have never lost one, despite a nasty period when I thought medication was the way to go for every problem). They are quirky and full of character. Araby, my first QA, who I purchased 9 months ago, stayed careful secreted behind a piece of Malaysian driftwood for a very long time before he ventured into the open. When he did, he seemed to be able to anticipate the light timers on my tank, for the lights would usually click off a few minutes after he appeared. He would speed along the sides of my tank with an unusual rigor, seldom resting for more than a few seconds before jetting off in another direction. Nowadays, he is more adventurous, and appears when the other fish are fed to grab brine shrimp, earthworm and Omega 1 flakes from the gravel (clearly, he likes his meat).

My other three QAs are less adventurous than Araby. They spent time in a Loricariid-only tank with some Imperial King Tigers (L-333) for two months, but now occupy the 55 gallon with Araby. I have one large female and two, smaller, unsexed juveniles. Though I originally intended to breed these 4, I have decided to forego this until they are all 3-4". There's no point in trying to breed immature fish!

I can't advertise these fish enough. I gain such pleasure from seeing them in my tank, and the fact that they usually hide themselves makes each sighting more and more thrilling. I highly recommend these fish for intermediate-to-expert level aquarists. See my ratings below for a numerical breakdown.


My Rankings:
Price: 5 (usually $30+)
Value: 10 (always worth it)
Hardiness: 8 (not terribly sensitive, but require clean water)
Community: 10 (absolutely fine)
Activeness: 3 (nocturnal, but fun to watch with an actinic bulb if one is available!)
Appearance: 10 (absolute beauties)
Overall: 10 (no doubt about it, they’re worth every penny)

Sources:

Helfman, Gene, et al: The Diversity of Fishes. Malden, MA: Blackwell Science, 2003.
Schaefer, Scott: Osteology of Hypostomus plecostomus (Linnaeus), with a phylogenetic Analysis of the Loricariid Subfamilies (Pisces: Suluroidei). “Contributions in Science,394. (As a general reference of Loricariid ostology).
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog...ncis/229_f.php
Hypancistrus sp. (L260) • Loricariidae • Cat-eLog

 

[Proflooney]

8.


Submitted by Proflooney

Peckoltia sp.

Synonyms: L288

Common Names:

Category: Species Plecostimus

Order: Siluriformes

Family: Loricariidae

Origin: Currently known only from the rios Curuá Una and Uruará in Pará state, Brazil.

The Curuá Una is a tributary flowing into the main lower Amazon channel downstream of Santarém and there is a large hydroelectric power plant constructed on it which supplies power to the city.

The Uruará joins the Curuá Una around 30 km upstream of its mouth and confluence with the Amazon.

Main Ecosystem:

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: Peaceful if a little territorial. As a rough guide give each fish a 12 inch square area well broken up with decorations.

Diet: Omnivorous with a tendency towards meaty foods. Not an effective algae eater. Well fed individuals will not damage most plants.

Care: na

pH: 5.0 - 7.0

Temperature: 79-86°F (26-30°C)

Hardness: 18 – 143 ppm

Potential size: 90 – 100 mm.

Water Region: Bottom Dweller

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color:

Sexing: Nuptial adult males develop more extended odontodes on the pectoral fins and body for the duration of the reproductive season.

Sexually mature males are also more slender and less stocky than females, a difference which is easily observed when the fish are viewed from above.


Acclimation: na

Breeding: Cave-spawner with the male responsible for brood care.

Comments:

Sources:

Stawikowski, R., A. Werner and I. Seidel, 2004 - DATZ: 1-132
DATZ Special: L-Numbers.

 

[Proflooney]

9.


Submitted by Proflooney

Peckoltia sp.

Synonyms: L243

Common Names:

Category: Species Plecostimus

Order: Siluriformes

Family: Loricariidae

Origin: Known only from parts of the Río Orinoco drainage in Amazonas state, southern Venezuela.

Main Ecosystem: Venezuela: Rio Orinoco

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: Peaceful if a little territorial. As a rough guide give each fish a 12 inch square area well broken up with decorations.

Diet: Omnivorous with a tendancy towards meaty foods. Not an effective algae eater. Well fed individuals will not damage most plants.

Care: na

pH: 6.0 - 7.2

Temperature: 24.0-26.0°C or 75.2-78.8°F

Hardness: 36 – 215 ppm

Potential size: 100mm (3.9")

Water Region: Bottom Dweller Rock piles and wood tangles. Plants are not vital.

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color:

Sexing: Males develop small teeth-like odontodes which adorn the leading pectoral fin rays and the back half of the fishes body. Females remain unadourned and have a wider girth across the body most evident when the area just behind the pectoral fins is viewed from above.

Acclimation: na

Breeding: Cave-spawner with the male responsible for brood care.

Comments:

Sources:

Stawikowski, R., A. Werner and I. Seidel, 2004 - DATZ: 1-132
DATZ Special: L-Numbers

 

[Proflooney]

10.


Submitted by Proflooney

Panaqolus maccus

Synonyms: LDA022, L104, L162

Common Names: Clown Pleco

Category: Species Plecostimus

Order: Siluriformes

Family: Loricariidae

Origin: Río Las Marinas, trib. of Río Portuguesa, Río Orinoco basin, ca. 9°05'N, 69°40'W, Estado Portuguesa, Venezuela.

Main Ecosystem: The Biotope: P. maccus are only found amongst driftwood tangles close to the banks in the main river channels. Their striped brown and cream coloured body provides excellent camouflage in this environment. Place various types and lengths of driftwood at slanting angles from the back of the tank to the front. The back and sides of the tank should be covered with a dark background. Use sand or fine gravel that is a red-brown in colour for the substrate. Hide the spawning caves along the back of the tank behind the driftwood.

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: Peaceful if a little territorial. As a rough guide give each fish a 12 inch square area well broken up with decorations.

Diet: A wood-eating fish, the tank should be decorated with several different types of driftwood. These fish really like to have something to chew on and squash, cucumber, and other vegetables should be readily available to them (yams are a favourite). Supplement two to three times weekly with frozen foods.

Care: na

pH: 6.8 - 7.6

Temperature: 23.0-28.0°C or 73.4-82.4°F

Hardness: 36 – 215 ppm

Potential size: 100mm (3.9")

Water Region: Bottom Dweller Rock piles and wood tangles. Plants are not vital.

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color: The species is sometimes confused with LDA068, which is very similar, but grows larger. The main key for distinguishing them is that juvenile LDA068 have stripes/squiggles/scribes on the head, which only appear in mature Panaque maccus. The mature size of LDA068 can be over 100mm, something not seen in P. maccus.

Sexing: Like all members of the genus, males grow elongated interopercular odontodes during the breeding season. Males develop noticeable odontodes along the dorsum as well.

Acclimation: na

Breeding: The fish should be maintained for two months under dry season conditions (see comment) with thrice weekly feedings of frozen foods. In preparation for breeding, add a power head and air stone to the tank, unplug the heater, and begin making 20 percent daily water changes with cool rain or reverse osmosis water. The temperature should be allowed to fall to 70-72F. After four water changes, plug the heater back in and wait for the spawn. If, after one month, the fish have not spawned start the process over again. It may take a few cycles to get the fish spawning. Provide various sized spawning caves made from PVC or slate. The caves should be just large enough to allow the female (which is larger) to squeeze in and five to six inches in length.

Comments: The aquarium water should be clear in colour with neutral values. Measurements taken at the Rio Tinaco in the dry season were temperature 80°F, pH 7.5, and fairly hard at 3,000 mu. In the wet season the water is cooler, softer and has a neutral pH due to the heavy rains.

Sources:

Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwatersv. 4 (no. 4) - pp335 - Figs. 18-19

 

[Proflooney]

11.


Submitted by Proflooney

Panaqolus sp.

Synonyms: L002, L074

Common Names: Tiger ''peckoltia''

Category: Species Plecostimus

Order: Siluriformes

Family: Loricariidae

Origin: Brazil: Rio Tocantins at Cametá

Main Ecosystem: South America: Rio Tocantins
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Tocantins, Lower Tocantins

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: Works well with most types of peaceful community fish. Can be somewhat territorial towards conspecifics, but given enough hiding spaces, a group can be kept in a suitable size aquarium - roughly requiring a 30 x 30cm area per fish.

Diet: This genus feeds on wood, and should have several pieces, preferably several kinds of wood to chew on. Aside from wood, a mainly vegetarian diet is recommended, prepared food such as algae wafers and fresh vegetables, such as courgette (zucchini) and tubers such as potato or sweet potato (yams).

Care: na

pH: 6.5 - 7.5

Temperature: 23.0-27.0°C or 73.4-80.6°F

Hardness: 36 – 215 ppm

Potential size: 100mm (3.9")

Water Region: Bottom Dweller Rock piles and wood tangles. Plants are not vital.

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color: L002 is also L074. Sometimes labelled as Peckoltia vermiculata although the dentition matches that of Panaqolus spp. After comparing photographs of the type specimen of Peckoltia vermiculata which is held in a museum in Vienna we have no doubt that L002 is not that species. It is an unidentified species. L074 appears to be a very faded L002.

Sexing: Males develop (particularly on their pectoral fin rays and lower back) heavy teeth-like odontodal growth. Often this gives the male fish a hairy or 'furry' look.

Acclimation: na

Breeding: Has been bred in captivity on a number of occasions. Male guards eggs laid in a cave (in nature it would be hollow wood or similar) until the fry are freeswimming.

Comments:

Sources:

DATZ 12/1988, pp 556-558.

 

[Proflooney]

12.


Submitted by Proflooney

Peckoltia vittata

Synonyms: L015 Chaetostomus vittatus

Common Names: Candy Striped Pleco, Xingu-Peckoltia (Germany)

Category: Species Plecostimus

Order: Siluriformes

Family: Loricariidae

Origin: Amazon R., Tajapouru, Xingu near Moz Port, R. Madeira

Main Ecosystem: Rock piles and wood tangles. Plants are not vital.

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: Peaceful if a little territorial. As a rough guide give each fish a 12 inch square area well broken up with decorations.

Diet: Omnivorous with a tendency towards meaty foods. Not an effective algae eater. Well fed individuals will not damage most plants.

Care: na

pH: 5.6 - 7.0

Temperature: 22.0-26.0°C or 71.6-78.8°F

Hardness: dH range 2-20.

Potential size: 100mm (3.9")

Water Region: Bottom Dweller Rock piles and wood tangles. Plants are not vital.

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color: This fish, often labelled 'Candy Striped Peckoltia' has often been confused in hobby literature with the fish we now know as Panaque maccus, the clown pleco [For example, Baensch Atlas Vol. 1 has a picture of Panaque maccus with the label Peckoltia vittata next to it]. As with most Loricariids, colouration depends on mood.

Sexing: Males develop small teeth-like odontodes which adorn the leading pectoral fin rays and the back half of the fishes body. Females remain unadorned and have a wider girth across the body most evident when the area just behind the pectoral fins is viewed from above.

Acclimation: na

Breeding: Normal Cave Breeding Male guards Eggs

Comments:

Sources:

Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien v. 43 115 [15] Pl. 2 (figs. 5-5a)

 

[Proflooney]

13.


Submitted by Proflooney

Hypancistrus sp.

Synonyms: L270, L307, LDA076

Common Names: Chocolate Zebra Pleco, Tapajos Zebra Pleco

Category: Species Plecostimus

Order:

Family:

Origin:

Main Ecosystem: Rock piles and wood tangles. Plants are not vital.

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: Suitable with most fish, as long as they are not too large or territorial about bottom-space.

Diet: Various frozen foods (Artemia, red and black mosquito larvae) as well as Spirulina tabs.

Care: na

pH: 5.6 - 7.0

Temperature: 27.0-30.0°C or 80.6-86°F

Hardness: na

Potential size: 100mm (3.9")

Water Region: Bottom Dweller Rock piles and wood tangles. Plants are not vital.

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color:

Sexing: Mature males have thicker first pectoral ray, more pronounced odontodes on the first pectoral fin ray and odontodes on the rear of the body, and typically a wider head. Mature females are wider around the middle of the body, and much less noticeable body and fin odontodes.

Acclimation: na

Breeding: Normal Cave Breeding Male guards Eggs, Sexually mature at around 60-80mm.

Comments:

Sources:

Aqualog (supplement) matches DATZ.

 

[Proflooney]

14.


Submitted by Proflooney

Peckoltia oligospila

Synonyms: L006 Chaetostomus oligospilus

Common Names: Brown Dot Peckoltia

Category: Species Plecostimus

Order: Siluriformes

Family: Loricariidae

Origin: This species is known from the rios Tocantins and Capim in Tocantins and Pará states, Brazil including a number of their tributaries.

Type locality is given as ‘Rio Capin, Pará State, Brazil’, which appears to correspond to the rio Capim, a short tributary of the lower Amazon which joins the latter near its mouth.

Main Ecosystem: Rock piles and wood tangles. Plants are not vital.

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: Relatively peaceful but territorial with conspecifics and similarly-shaped species.

Diet: Wild specimens are likely omnivorous but with a preference for aquatic invertebrates and suchlike.

In the aquarium it does best when offered a varied diet comprising sinking dried foods, frozen Daphnia, mosquito larvae, chironomid larvae (bloodworm), and prawn/shrimp, for, example, plus some fresh fruit, parboiled potato, etc.

Home-made foods using a mixture of natural ingredients bound with gelatin are very useful since they can be tailored to contain fresh vegetables, Spirulina and meatier ingredients.

Care: na

pH: 5.5 - 7.5

Temperature: 24.0-30.0°C or 75.2-86°F

Hardness: 36 – 268 ppm

Potential size: 100mm (3.9")

Water Region: Bottom Dweller Rock piles and wood tangles. Plants are not vital.

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color: This species can be distinguished from all congeners except P. bachi and some specimens of P. furcata by possessing only faint spots and saddles on the body.

It can be told apart from P. bachi by possession of narrow (vs. wide) pelvic-fin spines, having the eyes positioned high (vs. low) on the head, and distinctly round (vs. appearing more as a mottling) spots on the body.

It differs from P. furcata by presence (vs. absence) of spots on the abdomen of larger juveniles and adults and by the spots in the caudal fin being separate from one another (vs. combining to form bands).

Peckoltia lineola also has spots on the head but differs from P. oligospila in possessing bands (vs. spots) in all fins (vs. bands in all fins) and vermiculations on the head formed by combinations of spots (vs. spots always distinct).

Sexing: Adult males possess a series of odontodes on the caudal peduncle and opercle.

Sexually mature males are also more slender and less stocky than females, a difference which is easily observed when the fish are viewed from above.

Acclimation: na

Breeding: Normal Cave Breeding Male guards Eggs, Sexually mature at around 60-80mm.

Comments: Not difficult to maintain under the correct conditions; strongly recommend keeping it in a tank designed to simulate a flowing stream with a substrate of variably-sized rocks, sand, fine gravel, and some water-worn boulders.


Sources:

Günther, A., 1864 - Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum v. 5: i-xxii + 1-455
Catalogue of the Physostomi, containing the families Siluridae, Characinidae, Haplochitonidae, Sternoptychidae, Scopelidae, Stomiatidae in the collection of the British Museum.

Armbruster, J. W., 2008 - Zootaxa 1822: 1-76
The genus Peckoltia with the description of two new species and a reanalysis of the phylogeny of the genera of the Hypostominae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae).

Ferraris, C. J., Jr., 2007 - Zootaxa 1418: 1-628
Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types.

Reis, R. E. , S. O. Kullander and C. J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds), 2003 - EDIPUCRS, Porto Alegre: i-xi + 1-729
Check list of the freshwater fishes of South and Central America. CLOFFSCA.

Stawikowski, R., A. Werner and I. Seidel, 2004 - DATZ: 1-132
DATZ Special: L-Numbers.

 

[Proflooney]

15.


Submitted by Proflooney

Hypancistrus sp.

Synonyms: L004, L005, L028, L073

Common Names: Angelicus Pleco

Category: Species Plecostimus

Order: Siluriformes

Family: Loricariidae

Origin: Native to tributaries of the lower Amazon near its mouth in Pará state, northern Brazil.

The various L-numbers assigned to this species represent distinct populations with L004 (juvenile) and L005 (adult) collected from the rio Tocantins near Cametá, L028 from the rio Guamá at Ourém, and L073 from the rio do Pará in Portel municipality.

Main Ecosystem: Not difficult to maintain under the correct conditions; we strongly recommend keeping it in a tank designed to simulate a flowing stream with a substrate of variably-sized rocks, sand, fine gravel, and some water-worn boulders.

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: A peaceful species which can be maintained in a well-chosen community but is territorial towards conspecifics and other similarly-shaped fishes.

It should not be maintained alongside other Hypancistrus spp. in order to prevent hybridisation.


Diet: Wild specimens are likely omnivorous but with a preference for aquatic invertebrates and suchlike.

In the aquarium it does best when offered a varied diet comprising sinking dried foods, frozen Daphnia, mosquito larvae, chironomid larvae (bloodworm), and prawn/shrimp, for, example, while juveniles will also accept some fresh fruit, parboiled potato, etc.

Home-made foods using a mixture of natural ingredients bound with gelatin are very useful since they can be tailored to contain fresh vegetables, Spirulina or similar plus meatier ingredients.

Care: na

pH: 5.5 - 7.5

Temperature: 26.0-30.0°C or 78.8-86°F

Hardness: 18 – 357 ppm

Potential size: 100mm (3.9")

Water Region: Bottom Dweller Rock piles and wood tangles. Plants are not vital.

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color:

Sexing: Adult males possess a broader head plus more extensive odontodes on the leading pectoral-fin rays and interopercular region than females.

Males are also more slender than females, a difference which is easily observed when the fish are viewed from above.

Acclimation: na

Breeding: Normal Cave Breeding Male guards Eggs, Sexually mature at around 60-80mm.

Comments: This unidentified species is sometimes traded under the false name ‘Peckoltia angelicus’.

The genus Hypancistrus is diagnosed from all other loricariids by a wide separation between the metapterygoid and lateral ethmoid, presence of a sharply angled adductor palatini crest of the hyomandibula, and no lateral wall in the metapterygoid channel.

More useful for aquarists is the fact that in Hypancistrus the dentary teeth are about twice as long as the premaxillary teeth (vs. dentary and premaxillary teeth of approximately equal length).

The genus is otherwise remarkable for the fact that the majority of species have not yet been described to science although many are well known in the aquarium hobby.


Sources:

Armbruster, J. W., 2002 - Copeia 2002(1): 86-92
Hypancistrus inspector: a new species of suckermouth armored catfish (Loricariidae: Ancistrinae).

Armbruster, J. W., N. K. Lujan and D. C. Taphorn, 2007 - Copeia 2007(1): 62-79
Four new Hypancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Amazonas, Venezuela.

Stawikowski, R., A. Werner and I. Seidel, 2004 - DATZ: 1-132
DATZ Special: L-Numbers.

 

[Proflooney]

16.


Submitted by Proflooney

Chaetostoma formosae

Synonyms: L444, L187b

Common Names: Striped Bulldog Pleco

Category: Species Plecostimus

Order: Siluriformes

Family: Loricariidae

Origin: Known only from western piedmont streams within the upper río Meta and río Guaviare drainage systems, Meta and Casanare departments, eastern Colombia. Both the Meta and Guaviare are major tributaries of the río Orinoco.

Type locality is given as ‘Caño Chuy, affluent of río Upía, Boyacá – Casanare border, upper río Meta basin, Orinoco drainage, San Luis de Gaceno, Departamento de Boyacá, Colombia’.

Almost all collections for the aquarium hobby occur in the vicinity of the city of Villavicencio in Meta department, from where the fish are also exported. It occurs sympatrically with the congener C. dorsale and shipments often contain a mixture of both species.


Main Ecosystem: An obligate inhabitant of fast-flowing, sometimes high gradient, headwater streams and minor tributaries. Substrates are normally of bedrock with scattered jumbles of rocks and boulders, and while riparian vegetation and submerged leaf litter are common true aquatic plants aren’t usually present.

The most favourable habitats contain clear, well-oxygenated water which facilitates the development of a rich biofilm carpeting submerged surfaces, although turbidity, volume, and chemistry can change rapidly and often due to sometimes daily rainfall.

Salinity: (Freshwater)

Temperment: This species does best in a dedicated species set-up, either alone or with a school or two of peaceful, open water-dwelling charaids or cyprinids able to cope with the necessary water movement.

It can be territiorial towards congeners and similarly-shaped fishes so if the aim is to maintain it in a group or community containing other loricariids be sure to structure the décor in such a way to provide many broken lines of sight and refuges.

Diet: Primarily an aufwuchs grazer feeding on algae, small crustaceans, insect larvae, etc., and for it to develop its best colours and condition it should be offered regular meals of small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia, alongside plenty of fresh algae. Home-made, gelatine-bound recipes may also work provided the ingredients are chosen with the target species in mind.

Some specimens will also learn to accept good quality sinking dried foods or fresh fruit and vegetables such as shelled peas, cucumber, blanched courgette, spinach, and chopped fruit, but none of these are accepted as readily as algae which should be available on a constant basis.

If unable to grow sufficient algae in the main tank or you have a community containing numerous herbivorous fishes which consume what’s available quickly, it may be necessary to maintain a separate tank in which to grow algae on rocks and switch them with those in the main tank on a cyclical basis. Such a ‘nursery‘ doesn’t have to be very large, requires only strong lighting and in sunny climates can be maintained outdoors.

Unfortunately as a result of their specialised diet and oxygen requirements Chaetostoma spp. are regularly seen on sale in an emaciated state which can be tricky to correct. A good dealer will have done something about this prior to sale but if you decide to take a chance with severely weakened specimens they’ll initially require a readily-available source of suitable foods in the absence of competitors if they’re to recover.

Care: na

pH: 6.5 - 7.8

Temperature: 20.0-24.0°C or 68-75.2°F

Hardness: 143 – 447 ppm

Potential size: 105mm (4.2")

Water Region: Bottom Dweller Rock piles and wood tangles. Plants are not vital.

Activity: na

Lifespan: na

Color:

Sexing: Sexually mature males possess an enlarged second unbranched anal-fin ray that develops two posterior, longitudinal, fleshy ridges which can reach the caudal-fin base in fully-grown individuals. Males also develop a fleshy ridge along the dorsal surface of the first pectoral-fin ray, with all these characters absent in females.

Males also grow noticeably larger, have a relatively larger unplated area on the snout, and exhibit more pronounced odontote development on the pectoral-fin spines than females, with the dorsal series of the latter recurved in males vs. straight in females.

The distal margin of the pelvic-fin is convex in both sexes but is angular in males and rounded in females. Males develop several rows of acute, recurved, hypertrophied odontotes which protrude from the skin on the dorsal surface of the pelvic-fin rays whereas in females the odontotes are visible but do not pierce the skin.

The genital papilla is pointed and discrete in males, wide and pad-like in females, and though it has a terminal aperture in both, the posterior portion becomes swollen in sexually-mature, gravid females which makes the papilla appear to be adjacent to the vent.

Acclimation: na

Breeding: Reports of captive spawning are few and far between, tending to occur in well-established set-ups rather than dedicated breeding aquaria. Eggs are apparently deposited on the roof of a cave and defended by the male.

Comments: Most importantly the water must be clean and well-oxygenated at all times so we suggest the use of an over-sized filter, additional powerheads, flow pumps, or airstones. While torrential conditions are unnecessary a turnover of 10-15 times tank volume per hour is recommended, though with good oxygenation a lower rate of 5-10 times per hour is feasible.


This is the commonest member of the genus in the aquarium hobby though it continues to be misidentified as C. thompsoni or C. cf. thompsoni. It’s also traded under a number of English vernacular names including ‘blonde bulldog pleco’, ‘blonde rubber pleco’, ‘blonde rubbernose pleco’, ‘striped rubber pleco’, ‘striped rubbernose pleco’, and ‘widemouth pleco’. It may also be seen referred to as ‘L146′, ‘L146a’, or ‘L187b’, these codes having been used for it in the Aqualog series of books.

It can be told apart from all congeners except C. anale and C. jegui by the enlarged second unbranched anal-fin ray with two distinct fleshy ridges reaching the caudal-fin base when fully-developed. It differs from C. anale by the angular distal pelvic-fin margin in mature males (vs. W-shaped in mature C. anale males) and lacking an extended leading pelvic-fin ray (vs. leading pelvic-fin ray enlarged, filamentous, and longer than other rays).

C. formosae differs from C. jegui by possessing dark spots only on the head and dorsal region around the dorsal-fin base and with compound pterotic and lateral plates bordered by dark pigment (vs. dark background with light blotches in C. jegui), and by the strongly-prohected, angular distal pelvic-fin margin in mature males (vs. distal pelvic-fin margin straight and with leading ray sometimes extending beyond distal margin of fin).

These three species are recognised collectively as the C. anale species group within the genus Chaetostoma by Ballen (2011).

The family Loricariidae is the largest among catfishes with over 700 species described to date and many awaiting description. The latter are typically assigned a specific ‘L’ number by hobbyists and scientists alike in order to provide a basic means of identification, although in some cases several species have been referred to the same number, or multiple numbers have been used for different populations of a single taxon. All loricariids are also commonly referred to as ‘pleco’, ‘plecostomus’, or ‘suckermouth armoured catfishes’.

The closer relationships of member genera have long been of interest to icthyologists but in numerous cases remain unresolved. Isbrücker (1980) was the first to propose an arrangement of six subfamilies, namely Lithogeneinae, Neoplecostominae, Hypostominae, Ancistrinae, Hypoptopomatinae, and Loricariinae, and this model was generally followed until publication of Armbruster’s morphological analysis in 2004.

His phylogeny also contained six subfamiles, with Isbrücker’s (1980) Ancistrinae being included as one of five tribes comprising Hypostominae. This was later modified slightly by Reis et al. (2006) and an adapted version of their key is reproduced here:

1a. No lateral and dorsal plates anterior to the dorsal fin: Lithogeneinae
1b. Possession of lateral plates anterior to the dorsal fin (except in Pareioraphis nudulus): 2
2a. Ventral surface of the pectoral girdle exposed (i.e. supporting odontodes) towards the centre of the coracoid strut: Hypoptopomatinae
2b. Ventral surface of the pectoral girdle covered in skin or plates towards the centre of the coracoid strut (odontodes supported by the plates rather than the girdle): 3
3a. Caudal peduncle flattened dorsoventrally; no adipose fin: Loricariinae
3b. Caudal peduncle oval, round, or triangular in cross-section; adipose fin usually present: 4
4a. Postdorsal ridge formed from several preadipose plates arranged singly. Teeth almost symmetrically bifid (divided into two equal parts): Delturinae
4b. Usually no postdorsal ridge. Teeth asymmetrical or unicuspid: 5
5a. Dorsal-fin spinelet V-shaped, dorsal-fin spine can be locked: Hypostominae
5b. Dorsal-fin spinelet rectangular or absent, dorsal-fin spine cannot be locked: Neoplecostominae

Subsequent papers attempting to resolve relationships within the Hypoptopomatinae and Neoplecostominae by Cramer et al. (2008, 2011) have revealed both subfamiles to be polyphyletic arrangements alongside several genera, e.g., Pareiorhaphis, Pareiorhina, Hisonotus, and Parotocinclus, so there is evidently a great deal of work still to be done. At any rate Chaetostoma is currently considered a member of the tribe Ancistrini within Hypostominae.

The sucking disc formed by the mouthparts is common to all representatives but both oral and dental morphology are highly variable depending on a given species‘ ecological adaptation(s), with some even practising xylophagy (wood-eating). Many are also facultative air-breathers, i.e., they possess the ability to respire atmospheric air if necessary.

Sources:

Ballen, G. A., 2011 - Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia, São Paulo 51(6): 383-398
A new species of Chaetostoma Tschudi (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Colombia with a definition of the C. anale species group.

Armbruster, J. W., 2004 - Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 141: 1-80
Phylogenetic relationships of the suckermouth armoured catfishes (Loricariidae) with emphasis on the Hypostominae and the Ancistrinae.

Cramer, C. A., A. M. R. Liedke, S. L. Bonatto, and R. E. Reis, 2008 - Bulletin of Fish Biology 9: 51-59
The phylogenetic relationships of the Hypoptopomatinae and Neoplecostominae (Siluriformes: 725 Loricariidae) as inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I sequences.

Cramer, C. A., S. L. Bonatto, and R. E. Reis, 2011 - Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 59(1): 43-52
Molecular phylogeny of the Neoplecostominae and Hypoptopomatinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) using multiple genes.

Reis, R. E., E. H. L. Pereira, and J. W. Armbruster, 2006 - Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 147(2): 277-299
Delturinae, a new loricariid catfish subfamily (Teleostei, Siluriformes), with revisions of Delturus and Hemipsilichthys.