Leucostictus Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus leucostictus)

Leucostictus Bristlenose Pleco Ancistrus leucostictus
Name	Leucostictus Bristlenose Pleco
Name Lat.	Ancistrus leucostictus
Synonym	Chaetostomus leucostictus
Family	Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes
Family lat.	Loricariidae
Order	Catfishes
Order lat.	Siluriformes
Origin	Guyana
Habitat	Rivers
Diet	Limnivore, soft wood
pH	6.5-7.5
Behavior	Nocturnal, peaceful
Keeping	Individual, group
Care Level	Difficult
Reproduction	Cave spawner
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	5-10 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	10 cm
Temperature	23-27 °C
Hardness	8-12 °dH
Aquarium	~ 150 l
US Units
Size	4"
Temperature	73-81 °F
Hardness	142-214 ppm
Aquarium	~ 40 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the Yellow-spotted Antenna Catfish is the Rio Essequibo with its tributaries and all rivers on the coast of Guyana. They mainly stay in shallow water with stones 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 weak 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

Yellow-spotted Antennae Catfish are crepuscular to nocturnal. They sometimes behave intra-species territorial, therefore several animals should be kept only in large and richly structured tanks. They are very peaceful towards other fish and can be socialized well with them. Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

Males have more tentacles on the front edge of the head, whereas females have a maximum of 2 rows of tentacles.

Reproduction and breeding

There are isolated reports of successful breeding in the aquarium. They are cave breeders and the male does the brood care.

Important

They have a strong sucking mouth, with spoon-shaped teeth for scraping wood, and intestinal flora that allows 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: petdata; Image: Ruinemans Aquarium B.V.

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch; RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag 

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF