Woodeating Lasiancistrus (Lasiancistrus tentaculatus)

Woodeating Lasiancistrus Lasiancistrus tentaculatus
Name	Woodeating Lasiancistrus
Name Lat.	Lasiancistrus tentaculatus
Synonym	L92; L194
Family	Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes
Family lat.	Loricariidae
Order	Catfishes
Order lat.	Siluriformes
Origin	Venezuela
Habitat	Rivers, streams
Diet	Soft wood, algae
pH	6.5-7.5
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Individual, pair, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Cave spawner
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	N/A
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	12-15 cm
Temperature	24-28 °C
Hardness	2-10 °dH
Aquarium	~ 200 l
US Units
Size	5"-6"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Hardness	36-178 ppm
Aquarium	~ 50 gal

Distribution and habitat

Headspotted delta catfish are native to the Rio Orinoco watershed in Venezuela and Colombia. They live in the clear, oxygen-rich waters of fast-flowing streams and small rivers among sunken logs, branches and driftwood

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a robust edge planting with large river pebbles, caves (catfish burrows) and roots that provide hiding places and are also part of the food. A round-grained substrate and a moderately strong 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 mainly on soft wood, which is rasped off. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high quality dry food for loricariids (granules, pellets, chips, tablets) with high cellulose content and soft wood (mangrove, morcias), supplemented with algae leaves and fresh vegetables, such as zucchini, broccoli, bruised peas, scalded spinach, etc.

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 very peaceful and suitable for almost every community aquarium. Within the species they occasionally behave territorially, therefore keeping a group is only recommended in a large, richly structured tank with many hiding places (caves, roots)

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

Sex dimorphism

Females appear rounder when viewed from above. Sexually mature males develop tentacles on the head and have a thickened first pectoral fin ray and larger pectoral fins 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

During the day, these excellent algae eaters often stay in caves and shelters

They have intestinal flora that allows the fish to digest the cellulose. Aquatic plants with soft leaves could be considered food.

When catching them, 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 

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF