Spotted Orange Seam Pleco (Hemiancistrus guahiborum)

Spotted Orange Seam Pleco Hemiancistrus guahiborum
Name	Spotted Orange Seam Pleco
Name Lat.	Hemiancistrus guahiborum
Synonym	Guyanancistrus guahiborum, L106
Family	Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes
Family lat.	Loricariidae
Order	Catfishes
Order lat.	Siluriformes
Origin	Venezuela
Habitat	Rivers
Diet	Omnivore, soft wood
pH	6.5-7.5
Behavior	Nocturnal, peaceful
Keeping	Individual, pair, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Cave spawner
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	5-8 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	12-15 cm
Temperature	22-26 °C
Hardness	1-15 °dH
Aquarium	~ 250 l
US Units
Size	5"-6"
Temperature	72-79 °F
Hardness	18-267 ppm
Aquarium	~ 65 gal

Distribution and habitat

The Orinoco Guyana catfish are found in the upper watershed of the Rio Orinoco. They live in flowing waters, where they like to stay in shallow water between and 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 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 feed on plant and animal food. 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, scalded spinach, as well as zoopankton, cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mosquito larvae, shrimp, 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. It is recommended to keep these calm and compatible fish in a group. They are sometimes territorial within the species, so the tank should provide plenty of hiding places. They can be kept well in a community tank with other calm and peaceful fish

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

Sex dimorphism

Sexually mature males possess significantly longer gill cover spines (interopercular odontodes) and have much greater odontode growth on the first pectoral fin hard ray than females.

Reproduction and breeding

The breeding in the aquarium has already succeeded several times. They are cave breeders and the male does the brood care.

Important

There is disagreement as to whether the Orinoco Guyana catfish is classified in the genus Heminancistrus or the genus Guyanancistrus

They can easily be confused with the Pseudancistrus sp. "L122", which however has a higher body structure.

When trapping, use the finest mesh nets possible to avoid snagging the hard rays of the pectoral fins or the skin teeth (odontodes) 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