Red Fin Cactus Pleco (Pseudacanthicus pitanga)

Red Fin Cactus Pleco Pseudacanthicus pitanga
Name	Red Fin Cactus Pleco
Name Lat.	Pseudacanthicus pitanga
Synonym	L24
Family	Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes
Family lat.	Loricariidae
Order	Catfishes
Order lat.	Siluriformes
Origin	Brazil
Habitat	Tributaries, forest streams
Diet	Carnivore
pH	5.5-7.5
Behavior	Nocturnal, territorial
Keeping	Individual, group
Care Level	Difficult
Reproduction	Cave spawner
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	8-12 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	35-40 cm
Temperature	23-27 °C
Hardness	1-15 °dH
Aquarium	~ 500 l
US Units
Size	14"-16"
Temperature	73-81 °F
Hardness	18-267 ppm
Aquarium	~ 130 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the redfin cactus catfish is the inlet of the Rio Tocantins in Para (Brazil). They live in slow-flowing jungle streams and rivers, where they are often found in deep, rocky places.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have robust planting, with hiding places such as rocks, roots and caves and provide adequate swimming space. A substrate of small round gravel, slightly dim light and a weak current is ideal.

No ammonia, ammonium or nitrite should be detectable, and 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 feed on animal food. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality, protein-rich dry food for loricariids (granules, pellets, chips, tablets) as well as zooplankton, mosquito larvae, shrimp, krill, snails, fish, crab and mussel meat (live or frozen).

Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

They are crepuscular and nocturnal and usually stay hidden during the day. Especially older animals can behave very territorial within the species, but also against other fish. Accordingly, keeping a group is only recommended in a much larger and richly structured tank. They can be socialized with robust, not too small fish.

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature may be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The slightly larger males have significantly more and longer odontodes (pointed skin teeth) on the first pectoral fin ray, which is thickened in sexually mature males. The females appear somewhat rounder than the slender males.

Reproduction and breeding

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

Important

The attractive markings of the juveniles fade with age, only the red colored fins remain in the adults. Since they like to jump, the aquarium must be well covered.

When catching, use as fine-meshed nets as possible so that the hard rays of the pectoral fins or the skin teeth (odontodes) do not get 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); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 4, Mergus Verlag; SCHMIDT, WERNER, LECHNER (2005): MiniAtlas L-Welse, Bede Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch 

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF