/siluriformes/loricariidae/ancistrus/leucostictus/1.jpg "Ancistrus leucostictus")
/siluriformes/loricariidae/ancistrus/leucostictus/2.jpg "Ancistrus leucostictus")
Side view/siluriformes/loricariidae/ancistrus/leucostictus/3.jpg "Ancistrus leucostictus")
Dorsal view/siluriformes/loricariidae/ancistrus/leucostictus/4.jpg "Ancistrus leucostictus")
Ventral view
 Cat-eLog Data Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ancistrus leucostictus (Günther, 1864) |
| Common Names | Bristlenose Catfish Hvidbræmmet Sugemalle (Denmark) |
| Type Locality | Essequibo River, Guyana. |
| Synonym(s) | Chaetostomus leucostictus |
| 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. The specific epithet is derived from Leucos (greek) = white, stictus (greek) = spotted. |
| Species Information | |
| Size | 100mm or 3.9" 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. See general remarks - this fish is very unlikely to appear in the local fish shop! |
| Sexing | Males develop soft tentacles on the head and while sometimes females also do, it is never to the grand extent of those found on that of the conspecific male. |
| General Remarks | Since at least the 1990s, fish seen sold under the name Ancistrus leucostictus are misidentified. French Guyana, where this species comes from, doesn't export fish for the aquatic trade, and hasn't for a long time. A common species sold under the name of A. leucostictus is Ancistrus sp`Rio Ucayali`, but could be any of the commonly available Ancistrus. |
| Habitat Information | |
| Distribution | South America: Essequibo River basin and possibly all main Guianan rivers to the Oyapock River. Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Essequibo (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. |
| Temperature | 25.0-28.0°C or 77-82.4°F (Show species within this range) |
| Husbandry Information | |
| Feeding | Ancistrus should be fed mainly on vegetarian foods. Prepared foods include algae wafers and spirulina based sinking food. Vegetables such as courgette/zucchini, and (English) cucumber are an excellent addition to the diet, along with the odd, small amount of more meaty foods. User data. |
| Compatibility | A good complement to most aquariums, they are not aggressive to other species. Males may fight over territory if kept in too small a tank. |
| Suggested Tankmates | Appropriate with most community fish that aren't overly big or aggressive. |
| Breeding | Unreported. |
| Breeding Reports | There is no breeding report. |
| Further Information | |
| Reference | Catalogue of the fishes in the British Museum v. 5, pp 248. |
| Registered Keepers | There are 2 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data. |
| Wishlists | Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species. |
| Spotters | Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 2 records of this fish being seen, view them all. |
| Forum BBCode | |
| Search for A. leucostictus | |
 | Look up A. leucostictus on AquaticRepublic.com |
 | Look up A. leucostictus on Fishbase |
 | Look up A. leucostictus on Encyclopedia of Life |
 | Look up A. leucostictus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility |
| LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.4.953 | |
| Last Update | 2025 Jan 02 01:39 (species record created: 2007 Apr 14 18:23) |