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Catfish
/ Loricariidae / Snow King Plecostomus
Snow King Plecostomus
Liposarcus anisitsi | Pictures
Synonyms: Ancistrus
multiradiatus var.
alternans,
Pterygoplichthys
anisitsi, P. alternans, P. juvens
Physical description: This Pleco is covered everywhere but the belly with large bony plates.
The
head is large, broad, and flat.
The mouth is located on the underside of the head and is shaped like a suction cup.
It
has one pair of barbels.
The body has a base color of white with an overlaying black pattern.
The fins are the same color as the rest
of the body.
The dorsal fin stands tall when erect.
The pattern and contrast of colors becomes intensified with age.
Size/Length: To 24" (61 cm)
Similar species: Pterygoplichthys
species and
Hypostomus species.
Habitat: South America;
this catfish is found in a range of different environments along the
Paraguay River of Brazil and Paraguay.
Often it lives in stagnant pools that dry up in the dry season.
This
catfish takes refuge in a burrow and waits, without water, until the rains return.
S: bottom
Aquarium: 28" (70 cm) or 20-25 gallons (75-98 l) is suitable only for small specimens,
under 5" (13 cm).
Since these fish grow to a large size, they must be eventually moved to a large, roomy
tank (exceeding 60" or 90 gallons).
See
P. gibbiceps for other specifications.
Water chemistry: pH 6.5-8.2 (7.2), 2-28 dH (12), 66-79°F (19-26°C)
Social behavior: A peaceful fish that can be kept in a community tank with medium to large fish, including
cichlids.
Do not combine with small fish as they may be eaten.
The Snow King Pleco is very aggressive
towards its own and similar looking species.
Suggested companions: Large characins, South and Central American cichlids, Pimelodids
FOOD: Algae; vegetables; spinach, lettuce, peas; live; crustaceans, worms; tablets.
Sexual differences: Unknown
Breeding techniques: Not possible in captivity because of the conditions required.
The Snow King is commercially bred in
Florida in large dirt ponds.
The Snow King Plec will dig a tunnel (up to 39" or 1 meter long) just above the water
level.
A pair will spawn in this cavity and the male will guard the brood.
When the fry hatch they are deserted.
Breeding potential: 10.
This Pleco has not been bred in aquaria.
Remarks: If fish does not get enough algae or "green foods," it will nibble plants.
Wild
caught specimen have a more stunning contrast of colors.
Often sold as a "Common Plecostomus"
in the United States.
In stagnant water conditions with little dissolved oxygen, the Snow King Plec, like other
Plecos, can intake atmospheric oxygen, and store it in its intestine.
Many of the large loricarids are said
to leave scratch marks on Plexiglass tanks.
Difficulty of care: 4.
A hardy, long-lived catfish, that must be kept in a large tank.
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.
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