Habitat:
It was originally described from the lower Tocantins
River in Brazil, but individuals resembling the species
have also been recorded from Amazonian Peru. The species
is occasionally seen in the aquarium trade, but its
massive adult size and territorially aggressive behavior
means that a very large tank is required.
Colouration: Dark brown to black with numerous
white spots as a juvenile. As the fish matures, the
spots become less numerous and smaller, often disappearing
entirely in large adults. Its close relative A.
hystrix always lack white spots, regardless
of age. In contrast, A. adonis lacks the
vermiculated pattern often (but not always) found
on the underparts of A. hystrix.
Aquarium Care: One of the largest Loricariids
known, so would need to be kept in exceptionally large
aquariums. Intolerant of other large Loricariids.
Diet: Omnivores and will require
large amounts of vegetable foods, tablet and frozen
foods such as shrimps and mussels. There are only
two described species in this genera, this species
and A. hystrix. Remarks:
There are two variants commonly considered as separate,
undescribed species in the aquarium trade (e.g., L193
from the Orinoco basin and L407
from the Branco basin), but there is extensive overlap
in the morphometrics of the different populations.
Common
Name:
Polka Dot Lyre Tail Pleco
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Loricariidae
Distribution:
Brazil: Pará,
Rio Tocantins (Cametá). Type locality:
Brasilien, Est. Pará, Rio Tocantins bei Cametá
(0º14'S, 49º30.5'W).
Size:
100.0cm. (39ins)
Temp:
25-29°c (77-85°f.)
p.H.
6.0-7.5.
Reference:
Chamon, C.C.
(2016): Redescription of Acanthicus hystrix Agassiz,
1829 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), with comments on
the systematics and distribution of the genus. Zootaxa,
4088 (3): 395–408. - Seidel, I.
2008. Back to Nature guide to L-catfishes, Ettlingen,
Germany 208 p.
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