Xingu Lipbrooder (Loricaria birindellii)

From Pet Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Xingu Lipbrooder
Loricaria birindellii
Xingu Lipbrooder (Loricaria birindellii)
Name Xingu Lipbrooder
Name Lat. Loricaria birindellii
Synonym L10
Family Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes
Family lat. Loricariidae
Order Catfishes
Order lat. Siluriformes
Origin Brazil
Habitat Rivers
Diet Omnivore
pH 5.6-7.8
Behavior Peaceful
Keeping Pair, group
Care Level Easy
Reproduction Mouthbrooder
Breeding Difficult
Life Span 5-10 years
Protection No
Metric Units
Size 23 cm
Temperature 24-28 °C
Hardness 2-20 °dH
Aquarium ~ 300 l
US Units
Size 9"
Temperature 75-82 °F
Hardness 36-356 ppm
Aquarium ~ 80 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the crepuscular Birindellis loricariid is the Rio Curua in the catchment area of the Rio Xingu in Brazil. They live in shallow water, preferably on sandy bottoms between fallen leaves, sunken tree trunks, branches and roots protruding into the water.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have dense planting with roots, round stones, clay tubes and caves (hiding places) and free sandy areas of fine-grained sand covered with some foliage (oak, sea almond tree). Subdued light and a medium current are 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 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, cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mosquito larvae, shrimp, etc. (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 calm, peaceful catfish that are somewhat territorial only during spawning season and are very suitable for a community tank with other calm fish. It is recommended to keep them in pairs or in a group of 3-5.

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

Sex dimorphism

The sexes are difficult to distinguish. Sexually mature males have a distinctly enlarged mouth and spawning females are rounder

Reproduction and breeding

They are paternal mouth brooders. The male picks up the egg ball in a "lip pocket" for mouth brooding. The egg ball is aerated by moving the mouthparts. After 10-15 days, the larvae hatch and brood care is complete. After another 2-3 days, the fry, about 10 mm in size, have consumed their yolk sac and begin to feed on their own. The fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii, microworms, Cylops, fine dry food)

In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.

Important

When trapping, use the finest mesh nets possible to prevent the hard rays of the pectoral fins or the skin teeth (odontodes) from becoming 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: Alex Rinesch

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