Starlight Bristlenose Catfish (Ancistrus dolichopterus)
| Starlight Bristlenose Catfish Ancistrus dolichopterus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Starlight Bristlenose Catfish |
| Name Lat. | Ancistrus dolichopterus |
| Synonym | L183 |
| Family | Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes |
| Family lat. | Loricariidae |
| Order | Catfishes |
| Order lat. | Siluriformes |
| Origin | Brazil |
| Habitat | Rivers |
| Diet | Limnivore, soft wood |
| pH | 6.0-7.0 |
| Behavior | Nocturnal, peaceful |
| Keeping | Individual, pair, group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Cave spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 5-10 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 10 cm |
| Temperature | 23-28 °C |
| Hardness | 2-10 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 150 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4" |
| Temperature | 73-82 °F |
| Hardness | 36-178 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 40 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the crepuscular to nocturnal Blue Antenna Catfish is the middle Rio Negro with its tributaries and the Amazon in Brazil. They mainly live 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
They sometimes behave intra-species territorial, so 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 head and more odontodes on the first pectoral fin ray than females.
Reproduction and breeding
The female spawns in caves or under roots. The clutch is cared for by the male. After about 11 days the fry swim free 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: Werner Winter; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, 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