PlanetCatfish.com - Ancistrus dolichopterus (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Loricariidae Hypostominae Ancistrus | |

Close-up of mouth
Close-up of dorsal fin
Dorsal view
Ventral view, female
Habitat: Rio Negro, Brazil
Sub adult
Juvenile
Stamp
Egg clutch
Four week old juvenile
Pair (Male center)
Fry
Sub-adult
Ventral view - juvenile
Rio Camaiu
Sub-adult
Four week old and two week old fry
Feeding on cucumber
One day old fry
Three day old fry
Eleven day old fry
Adult male
Upper Rio Negro, Brazil
Dorsal fin
Upper Rio Negro, Brazil
Rio Nhamundá, Brazil
Habitat: Rio Nhamundá, Brazil

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Ancistrus dolichopterus** Kner, 1854
Common Names	L183, Starlight Bristlenose Catfish Blå Antennmal (Sweden), Dolly Pleco, Hvidsømmet Antennesugemalle (Denmark), Starlight Bushymouth Catfish
Type Locality	Manaus, Brazil.
Synonym(s)	Hypostoma punctatum, Xenocara dolichoptera
Pronunciation	an SISS truss
Etymology	The name Ancistrus is derived from the Greek word agkistron, meaning hook, in reference to the interopercular odontodes that are hooked. This specific epithet refers to its long (dolichos=long) fins (pteron=fins).
Articles	- CotM 2014 February
Species Information
Size	118mm or 4.6" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Mature males and sometimes females have soft tentacles (bushy fleshy growths) on the snout - this is unique to the genus Ancistrus. The overall appearance of this species is not as useful for identification as you may think - there are many Ancistrus species which have a dark base with small white dots as colour pattern. There is however a key that differentiates this species from all other (currently known) Ancistrus species - it's the only species with one hard and nine soft dorsal rays (I,9). Also encountered under the name Ancistrus hoplogenys.
Sexing	Males have head tentacles, females do not.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: upper and middle Brazilian Amazon River basin and from the Negro, lower Trombetas, Tefé, Madeira and Tapajós River basins. Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Negro, Lower Negro (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Lower Amazon, Trombetas, Lower Trombetas (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Tefé (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Madeira (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Lower Amazon, Tapajós (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Lower Amazon, Nhamundá (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH	5.0 - 6.5
Temperature	23.0-28.0°C or 73.4-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	A blackwater resident that can be somewhat delicate if not kept in similar conditions in captivity.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Ancistrus are omnivorous with something of a vegetarian bent. Vegetables and commercially prepared food are avidly taken. They also like to eat blood worms, gammarus and most frozen foods. You can also witness them eating dead fish when they find a carcass before you do. User data.
Furniture	Prefers wood to stone. Bamboo caves are best but will also take refuge in slate or PVC pipes.
Compatibility	Will defend their own territories, but these are small and so groups can be housed in relatively small aquaria.
Suggested Tankmates	Appropriate with most community fish that aren't overly big or aggressive.
Breeding	Reasonably straight forward once the correct (black water) parameters are attained. Spawning follows the typical pattern for the genus. The female lays around 50 eggs in a cave or hole that is guarded by the male.
Breeding Reports	There are 20 breeding reports, read them all here.
Further Information
Reference	Denkschriften der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe. v. 7, pp 274 [24], Pl. 3 (fig. 1).
Registered Keepers	There are 378 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 24 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 120 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.4.221
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:36 (species record created: 2001 Apr 25 00:00)