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FACTSHEETS: November 2016 - no. 245
Hypancistrus sp. (L066) |
Hypancistrus sp. (L066)
It
has now been established (Cardoso, A. L.
et al. 2016) that this species and L333
are the same species and if they are kept together
in the same tank there is a possibility of cross breeding
between them. They are in fact differently marked
variants (phenotypes) of the same species.
Hypancistrus sp. (L333)
L066 is found in the lower stretches of the Rio Xingu but it is reported that they have been introduced to the middle regions also by local fishermen, forming stable populations.
|
he Loricariids of the Hypancistrus genera
in the middle and lower Rio Xingu
in Brazil are very alike with wormline, spotted and
squiggly black and white body patterns. Juveniles
have a very different colour pattern to the adults
and individuals can differ in colouration and body
shape. Juveniles tend to have a naked pale abdomen
and the adults sport a partly covered abdomen with
blackened patches. The Hypancistrus genera
are similar to the Panaque/Panaqolus and
Peckoltia genera but have fewer and larger
teeth in the lower and upper jaw.
Common Name |
King Tiger Pleco, L066, L333 |
Synonyms |
None |
Family |
Loricariidae |
Subfamily |
Ancistrinae |
Distribution |
South America: Brazil, Pará, Rio Xingu ( Belo Monte - Vitoria). |
Size |
15.0cm. (6ins) |
Temp. |
26-30°c (79-87°f.) |
p.H. |
6.5-7.5 |
Characteristics |
Body high with plates covered by small, robust odontodes; operculum evertible; in juveniles abdomen uncovered. |
Colouration |
Basal colouration white/yellowish, with blackened vermicular markings and banded fins; the vermicular markings vary from narrow and closely-spaced to large and well dispersed. |
Aquarium Care & Compatibility |
| No problem with keeping in groups but only one Hypancistrus species to a tank as there has been reports of hybridisation. Provide some water movement in the aquarium with a sandy substrate, caves and rockwork to provide hiding places. No problem with other non-aggresive fish in a community tank. They prefer water that is on the warm side (26-30°c), soft and slightly acidic. |
Sexual Differences |
Males posses a broader and longer head and odontodes on the posterior part of the body, behind the gill covers and on the pectoral fin spines. The latter two are a lot shorter in the females. |
Reproduction |
Has been bred successfully in the hobby. Will lay 20 to 30 large eggs. Leaving their cave the youngsters can be around the 1.5cm.(¾ins) length. The male is responsible for the brood care. |
Diet |
| Omnivores, juveniles are keen on vegetable foods whereas adults are less so. Frozen foods such as brine shrimp, mosquito larvae and mussels as well as tablet foods. |
Glossary of Terms |
Odontodes:
Hair - like stuctures on the body. |
Etymology |
| Hypancistrus: Greek, hypo = under + Greek, agkistron = hook. |
References |
Cardoso,
A. L., Carvalho, H. L., Benathar, T. C., Serrão,
S. M., Nagamachi, C. Y., Pieczarka, J. C., de Sousa,
L.M., Ready, J.S., and Noronha, R. C. (2016).
Integrated Cytogenetic and Mitochondrial DNA Analyses
Indicate That Two Different Phenotypes of Hypancistrus
(L066 and L333) Belong to the Same Species. Zebrafish,
13(3), 209-216. |
Photo Credits |
© Daniel Konn-Vetterlein |
|
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