Magnum Pleco (Baryancistrus chrysolomus)

Magnum Pleco Baryancistrus chrysolomus
Name	Magnum Pleco
Name Lat.	Baryancistrus chrysolomus
Synonym	L47
Family	Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes
Family lat.	Loricariidae
Order	Catfishes
Order lat.	Siluriformes
Origin	Brazil
Habitat	Rivers
Diet	Limnivore, soft wood
pH	5.5-7.5
Behavior	Nocturnal, territorial
Keeping	Individual, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Cave spawner
Breeding	None reported
Life Span	10-15 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	22-25 cm
Temperature	25-29 °C
Hardness	1-15 °dH
Aquarium	~ 300 l
US Units
Size	9"-10"
Temperature	77-84 °F
Hardness	18-267 ppm
Aquarium	~ 80 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the Magnum orange fringed catfish is the river system of the Rio Xingu in Para (Brazil). According to their origin their coloration and pattern varies. They live in rivers and streams with stones and dead wood, where they often stay in shallow water under stones.

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

They are crepuscular to nocturnal. Within the species and towards other loricariids they often behave very territorial, therefore several animals should only be kept in much larger, richly structured tanks. Towards other, also smaller fishes they are peaceful 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

There are no known external distinguishing characteristics.

Reproduction and breeding

There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.

Important

Baryancistrus chrysolomus also occur in light or yellow color varieties. Color change may also occur, although the cause is unknown.

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: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch; SCHMIDT, WERNER, LECHNER (2005): MiniAtlas L-Welse, Bede Verlag 

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF