|
|
|
Catfish
/ Loricariidae / Bristlenose Plecostomus
Bristlenose Plecostomus; Big-fin Bristlenose
Ancistrus dolichopterus | Pictures
Synonyms: Chaetostomus
dolichopterus, Xenocara dolichopterus
Physical description: This species is covered everywhere but the belly with large bony plates. The head is
large, broad, and flat and has many tentacles coming out of it, near the snout. The mouth is on the underside of
the head and is shaped like a suction cup. The color ranges greatly depending on the individual, age, and area
that the individual is found.
Size/Length: 6" (15 cm)
Similar species: Snowflake Bristlenose (
Ancistrus hoplogenys), Polka Dot Bristlenose (
Ancistrus lineolataus
), Temminck's Bristlenose (
Ancistrus termmincki), Three-ray Bristlenose (
Ancistrus triradiatus
); and other Ancistrus
species.
Habitat: South America; fast flowing, clear tributaries of the Amazon River in areas with submerged
wood.
Also found in shallow pools.
S: bottom
Aquarium: 32" (80 cm) or 30 gallons (114 L).
This catfish likes roomy tanks with
plenty of hiding places and a strong current.
This species will nibble on plants if there is a lack of algae.
Provide
good aeration.
Water chemistry: pH 5.5-8 (7.0), dH 2-30 (10), 73-84°F (23-29°C)
Social behavior: A peaceful fish ideal for a community tank.
Will not bother other catfish such as
Corydoras.
Older individuals are sometimes aggressive and territorial towards other similar Loricarids.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
|
|
|
