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Ancistrus alga (Cope, 1872)

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Relevant Information:

For a long time it was listed as a synonym of Ancistrus hoplogenys but was revalidated by Provenzano & Barriga-Salazar in 2018 as Ancistrus alga. Aquarium Care: The Ancistrus genera make good community fish where they do not grow too big for the aquarium. Some species have different requirements in the aquarium so best to read up on the species you have whereas if they need higher oxygen requirements or not, or if they prefer cooler waters if they originate from the southern parts of South America against the species from further up north. Diet: Vegetable foods such as cucumber and courgette and also tablet and meaty foods. Reproduction: The female lays her eggs in caves or crevices... that the male has chosen and cleaned.... as a cluster. The male usually then guards the eggs after ejecting the female. The fry then cling to the sides of the cave and when they use up their yolk sac, which is around the four to seven day period, they will be ready to feed on infusuria, vegetable matter, brine shrimp naupli or micro worms. In a community tank a few will survive if enough hiding places are afforded to them. Etymology: The specific name alga: etymology not explained, possibly referring to algae, a food item in its largely herbivorous diet. Remarks: Still found on some online searches as A. hoplogenys.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

Ancistrus tectirostris, Chaetostomus alga, Chaetostomus tectirostris

Family:

Loricariidae

Distribution:

South America: Lower Napo River basin, upper Amazon basin (Ecuador and Peru). Type Locality: Río Ambyiacu, Peru.

Size:

16-18cm (6-7ins)

Temp:

25-29°c (77-84°f.)

p.H.

6.0-7.5.

IUCN Red List

Despite the little information available on this species, it has a wide range and no apparent threats. Therefore, it is assessed as Least Concern. (IUCN 2023).

Reference:

Ingo Seidel & Andreas Tanke. Bristlenose Catfishes: The Plecos of the Genus Ancistrus. ATS-Aquashop.de. Nature2 Arts 639p.v
Salvador, G.N. 2023. Ancistrus hoplogenys. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023 (Synonym).

Family: Loricariidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Ancistrus alga

Ancistrus alga
Dorsal view

Ancistrus alga
Ventral view

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