Starlight Bristlenose Pleco L120 (Ancistrus sp. 'L120')
| Starlight Bristlenose Pleco L120 Ancistrus sp. 'L120' | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Starlight Bristlenose Pleco L120 |
| Name Lat. | Ancistrus sp. 'L120' |
| Synonym | Ancistrus punctatus, L182 |
| Family | Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes |
| Family lat. | Loricariidae |
| Order | Catfishes |
| Order lat. | Siluriformes |
| Origin | Guyana, Brazil |
| Habitat | Rivers |
| Diet | Limnivore, soft wood |
| pH | 5.0-7.5 |
| 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 | 20 cm |
| Temperature | 23-27 °C |
| Hardness | 2-20 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 250 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 8" |
| Temperature | 73-81 °F |
| Hardness | 36-356 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 65 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The crepuscular to nocturnal Gold Spotted Giant Antenna Catfish L120 originate from the rivers in Guyana and the inlets of the Rio Branco, on the upper Amazon River in northwestern 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
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
Sexually mature males possess significantly longer gill cover spines (interopercular odontodes) than females.
Reproduction and breeding
There are only isolated reports of successful breeding in the aquarium. They are cave breeders and the male does the brood care.
Important
Ancistrus sp. L120 is identical to Ancistrus sp. L182. Differences in coloration are origin dependent.
They have a strong sucking mouth, with spoon-shaped teeth for scraping wood, and an 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: Franz Lowak
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