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Typical Ancistrus shape with both sexes sporting bristles to the head area with the male having the larger and more impressive tentacles. Aquarium Care: Quite an easy species to keep as long as there is adequate aeration in the aquarium and giving them a choice of pipes, stones or rockwork. Diet: Vegetable foods such as cucumber and courgette and also tablet and meaty foods. Reproduction: As per the Ancistrus family in neutral to mildly alkaline water. Will spawn in caves/pipes and the eggs are yellow, large, and can number to about 40 in a good spawning. 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: From the river of the same name in the Mato Grosso area of Brazil.

LDA08, Gold Marble Bristlenose Catfish

None

Loricariidae

South America: Brazil, The Mato Grosso, in the Rio Claro and Coxipo River and other western tributaries, above the bridge in  the direction of Chappada dos Guimaraes. See Location map

9.0cm. (3½ins)

24-28°c (75-83°f.)

6.0-7.0.

ScotCat Factsheet no. 80. Feb. 2003