Ancistrus sp. l255

Common Names:

Spotted Medusa Bristlenose
Spotted Medusa Pleco
Spotted Pancake Bristlenose

Synonyms:

Family:

Loricariidae

Category:

Catfish_Bottom_Feeders

Distribution:

America - South; In the mid-upper Rio Xingu.

Main Ecosystem:

River; As with other xingu loricariids, it prefers warm, fast flowing, well oxygenated water.

Temperament:

Timid; This species tends to be shy and timid, as opposed to the more boisterous antics of other Ancistrus sp.

Diet:

Ominvore; Some vegetable matter is accepted, though, on a whole, it prefers a meatier diet than other of its genus.

Care:

These fish necessitate clean water, free of nitrogenous contaminants. As timid feeders, they must be established on a steady diet of bloodworms, sinking pellets, and the occasional vegetable before being introduced into a community tank. They do eat algae, but sparingly. Tankmates should be comprised of small, schooling Characins/Cyprinids or larger, slow moving and peaceful Cichlids such as Pterophyllum sp. Boisterous and otherwise aggressive feeders should be avoided. Cover should be provided.

pH:

6 - 8

Temperature:

28°C - 30°C

82°F - 86°F

Hardness:

8 dH - 15 dH

Potential Size:

Male: 16cm (6.3")
Female: 16cm (6.3")

Water Region:

Bottom; Rarely seen hanging from the vertical planes of the tank, this species prefers a sedentary lifestyle lying parallel to the substrate.

Activity:

Nocturnal; Though often seen during the daylight, it will only stray from its hideaway to feed come nightfall.

Gender:

Males retain a substantially bushier set of rostral cutaneous processes, coinciding with the usual procedure in which to sex the genus. In fishes of similar age, females tend to be smaller, but relative size is by no means a precise way to determine gender.

Breeding:

Records for these fish in this respect are sparse, however, it was noted that spawnings usually occured in confined, flat surfaces (i.e. between slate), as opposed to the cave dwelling preferences of other Xingu Ancistrinids.

Variants:

Comments:

Easily distinguishable from other Ancistrus species, this fish has a large, wide, head in reference to its body size. Also, they are vertically compact, thus often being dubbed "pancake plecos" or "pancake BNs". Only one other species (A. ranunculus--incidentally from the same region) shares this body shape, but the aforementioned has no noticeable spotting.

Main Colours:

Black, White

Markings:

Spots Small

Mouth:

Sucking Disc

Tail:

Concave

Search:

Image Credit:

;Cup_of_Lifenoodles

Submitted By:

Cup_of_Lifenoodles

Contributors:

Natalie, gnr4ever8794

History:

View changes to this profile

Edit Profile: