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ur catfish of the month, this month (Aug. 2007), has had a checkered history down the years as this beautiful Ancistrus species has been misidentified on numerous occasions as "body brown to green brown, upper parts darker, lower side lighter". The body is also noted to have dark spots. As you can see from the lower image of a sub-adult that this is well of the mark and this description in the publication "Die Aquarienfische in Wort und Bild" by Holly, Meinken and Rachow may have snowballed and added to the confusion in the intervening years that this was published (1932). The fish was known at this time by its synonym, Xenocara dolichoptera.

Ancistrus dolichopterus

Günther Sterba mentions in his work (Sterba's freshwater fishes of the world vol:2) that it was first imported into Germany in 1911 and also first bred in this year by Lehmann and describes the fish as having white spots on the body and fins with the dorsal and anal fins carrying a brilliant white margin. No mention is made of the same trait in the caudal fin which I find strange as the line drawing in the same publication shows the caudal fin margin. Other earlier literature have mentioned "Body dark blue with white dots with the dorsal and caudal fins dark blue, with white borders".

According to Muller (1999), L 183 is the "true" Ancistrus dolichopterus. In the  original  description it states that the species has 8-9 soft rays in the dorsal  fin,  as is the  case in  L  183.  In the aquarium trade and literature, L 183 is  mistakenly referred  to as  Ancistrus hoplogenys. Even the first and third Baench Atlas's have A.dolichopterus as A.hoplogenys and vice versa on page 486/487(1) and 364/365(3)

On an adult speciman shown below the colours are not quite as vivid, but you can still see the white margins to the dorsal and caudal fins.

Ancistrus dolichopterus - adult pattern

As there is a few Ancistrus species with white spots on a dark background you can be sure of this species by making sure that the dorsal count is 1/9 as most other Ancistrus species have 8 soft rays in the dorsal fin.

The lower lobe of the caudal fin is longer than the top, thus the meaning of the species name; long, or lengthy fins.

Keeping Ancistrus dolichopterus in the aquarium is not problematic as long as you keep the oxygen levels up as they will be the first fish to feel the effects of reduced oxygen in the aquarium. They will start by moving up the tank walls until their snout is nearly out of the water, this is even more of a problem with young fry. This is a danger sign and a large water change must be made, filters cleaned out and water flow back up again. Two internal power filters at each end of the tank or a combination of one internal and one external filter is needed in a larger tank. Bogwood is the preferred option as decor as they will graze on it and is a necessary part of their diet. Small rounded gravel or sand for the substrate and pipes or slate caves for spawning are a good addition. Plants such as Anubias and Java Fern can be used in a low light situation as bright tank lights will keep your Ancistrus hidden from view.

L183, Starlight Bristlenose Catfish.

None

Ancistrinae

South America: Brazil, Amazonas, Rio Negro (lower and middle course).

14.0cm. (5½ins)

23-27°c (73-81°f.)

D 1/9; A 1/4; V 1/5; 32-24 bony scutes in a lateral series. 6-9 hooked spines on the movable interopercular.

No problem with other fishes in the aquarium.

As per genus with eggs laid in tubes, in caves or under bogwood. The male will fan the eggs and will hatch after about 5 days. The fry will use up their yolk sac after about 7 days and then will have to be fed soft vegetables such as blanched lettuce.

Mainly vegetarian with a liking for algae but as this will be in short supply in a tank set-up can be fed on soft veg such as cucumber, courgette (zucchini), raw potato plus loricaria tablets. Will also eat worm food but its main diet would have to be vegetarian.

Ancistrus: With barbed hooks, (hooked spines).
dolichopterus: Long, or lengthy fins.

Holly, M; Meinken, H; Rachow, A; Die Aquarienfische in wort und bild: 1932.
Sterba, Günther; Sterba's Freshwater Fishes of the Word, Vol:2. TFH 1973.
All L-Numbers Datz Special. www.datze.de 
Jinkings, Kathy. Bristlenoses, Catfish with Character. 2000. Kingdom Books. 112p.

Photo Credits

Top picture: © Hayley Ahern
Bottom Picture: © Johnny Jensen @