Blue Panaque (Baryancistrus beggini)
| Blue Panaque Baryancistrus beggini | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Blue Panaque |
| Name Lat. | Baryancistrus beggini |
| Synonym | L239 |
| Family | Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes |
| Family lat. | Loricariidae |
| Order | Catfishes |
| Order lat. | Siluriformes |
| Origin | Venezuela |
| Habitat | Rivers |
| Diet | Limnivore, soft wood |
| pH | 5.5-7.5 |
| Behavior | Nocturnal, territorial |
| Keeping | Individual, pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Cave spawner |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Life Span | 10-15 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 10 cm |
| Temperature | 24-29 °C |
| Hardness | 1-10 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 150 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4" |
| Temperature | 75-84 °F |
| Hardness | 18-178 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 40 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the crepuscular to nocturnal Bluefin Dwarf Catfish is the catchment area of the upper Rio Orinoco in Venezuela and the Rio Guaviare in Colombia. They live mainly in shallow water with stones, boulders and dead wood.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a robust border planting with stones, caves (catfish burrows) and roots, which provide hiding places and at the same time are part of the food. A substrate of sand and round-grained gravel, subdued light (floating plant cover) and a medium current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
They eat the vegetable cover (growth) of stones, wood, plants, etc. and the microorganisms contained therein. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food for loricariid catfish (granules, pellets, chips, tablets), supplemented with algae leaves, soft wood and fresh vegetables, such as zucchini, broccoli, bruised peas or scalded spinach, plus occasional small amounts of zooplankton, cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mosquito larvae, etc. (live or frozen). Feed only as much as will be eaten within a few minutes, excluding plant foods. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They often behave territorially within the species, but also towards catfishes with similar appearance, therefore several animals should only be kept together in large and richly structured tanks. Towards other fish they are peaceful and well suited for a community tank.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
Males have more and longer odontodes on the first pectoral fin ray than females. Sexually mature females are slightly rounder.
Reproduction and breeding
They are cave breeders. After the female has spawned in a cave, the male takes over the brood care. After about 11 days the fry swim free and the brood care ends. The fry must be fed several times a day. Grinded dry food, Artemia, Cyclops and small cut vegetables are suitable as rearing food.
In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
There are different opinions whether they belong to the genus Baryancistrus or Ancistrini.
They have a strong sucking mouth, with spoon-shaped teeth for scraping wood and an intestinal flora that enables the fish to digest the cellulose.
When fishing, use the finest mesh nets possible to prevent the hard rays of the pectoral fins or the skin teeth (odontodes) from getting caught on the bone plates, which can cause painful puncture wounds when touched.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: Ruinemans Aquarium B.V.
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); WERNER, LECHNER, SCHMIDT (2005): MiniAtlas L-Welse, Bede Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF