Medusa Pleco (Ancistrus ranunculus)
| Medusa Pleco Ancistrus ranunculus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Medusa Pleco |
| Name Lat. | Ancistrus ranunculus |
| Synonym | L34 |
| Family | Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes |
| Family lat. | Loricariidae |
| Order | Catfishes |
| Order lat. | Siluriformes |
| Origin | Brazil |
| Habitat | Rivers |
| Diet | Limnivore, soft wood |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Behavior | Nocturnal, peaceful |
| Keeping | Individual, group |
| Care Level | Difficult |
| Reproduction | Cave spawner |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Life Span | 5-10 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 12-14 cm |
| Temperature | 25-28 °C |
| Hardness | 5-15 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 200 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4.7"-5.5" |
| Temperature | 77-82 °F |
| Hardness | 89-267 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 50 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the dragon catfish is tributaries of the Rio Xingú and the Rio Tocantins in Brazil. 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
Dragon catfish are crepuscular to nocturnal. They sometimes behave intra-species territorial, so multiple 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
The offspring has already succeeded several times. The clutch is cared for by the male. After about eleven days the fry swim freely and must be fed several times a day with special rearing food
In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
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: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (1997): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 5, Mergus Verlag; 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