PlanetCatfish.com - Hypancistrus debilittera (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Male
Pair (female right)
Adult
Dorsal view
Fry
Lateral view
Close-up of dorsal fin
Close-up of caudal fin

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Hypancistrus debilittera** Armbruster, Lujan & Taphorn, 2007
Common Names	L129, Colombian Zebra Pleco Colombiansk Zebramalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Pasaganado, 38 kilometers north of San Fernando de Atabapo, 4°23'04''N, 67°46'28''W, Río Orinoco, Amazonas, Venezuela
Pronunciation	hype an siss truss
Etymology	A contraction of the Greek hypo (meaning less than) and ancistrus, an allusion to the reduced number of teeth (particularly in the lower jaw) found in this genus. A combination of the Latin debilis meaning weak and littera meaning letter, in reference to the weak or absent E on the snout.
Species Information
Size	70mm or 2.8" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Dark brown base coloration with fine yellowish stripe. Rather large eyes compared with the body length (like Hypancistrus inspector. A small mouth with typical Hypancistrus dentition.
Sexing	Typical of the genus; males have longer pectoral and interopercular odontodes, they also have plate odontodes on the body. Females are rounder in the ventral region.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Río Orinoco in Venezuela. Orinoco, Middle Orinoco, Bita (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	6.4 - 7.6
Temperature	24.0-28.0°C or 75.2-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Omnivore. They still seem to prefer meaty foods such as blood worms, gammarus or brine shrimps. Commercially prepared food such as Spirulina tabs are also eaten. User data.
Furniture	Fine sand, driftwood, slate and/or bamboo caves. Plants can be kept without fear of damage from this species.
Compatibility	Its small size makes it a good citizen for small tanks. Males are more territorial than females and are territorial toward conspecifics and other Loricariidae of about the same size.
Suggested Tankmates	Small tetras and other similar small fish. Also Corydoras. Care has to be taken to ensure that they get enough food, as they can be a bit shy and slow to grab food when available.
Breeding	Females lay about 20 eggs of about 3mm in diameter in a cave. Brood guarded by the male in the cave. Raising of the young is unproblematic if a good hygiene is provided.
Breeding Reports	There are 14 breeding reports, read them all here.
Further Information
Reference	Copeia 2007 (no. 1), pp 68, Figs. 1D, 5.
Registered Keepers	There are 237 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 16 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 95 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode

	Search for H. debilittera
	Look up H. debilittera on AquaticRepublic.com
	Look up H. debilittera on Fishbase
	Look up H. debilittera on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up H. debilittera on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.7.211
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:36 (species record created: 2001 May 05 00:00)