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de Oliveira RR, Zuanon J, Py-Daniel LHR, Birindelli JLO, Sousa LM 2021 (3)

This genera is similar to the Ancistrus in appearance. They possess three stout odonodes concealed beneath the gill covers which act as a defense mechanism. Hopliancistrus tricornis is distinguished from its congeners by having four branched rays on anal fin (vs. five branched rays). Description: Hopliancistrus xavante can be distinguished from its congeners by the nuchal plate covered by thick skin, and usually lacking odontodes (vs. nuchal plate exposed and covered by odontodes); by having a broad nasal bone plate, sometimes slightly triangular (vs. narrow nasal); and by the trunk and fins covered by large yellowish-white spots (vs. dorsal, caudal, and anal fins covered by dark brown to black spots in H. tricornis, H. munduruku, and H. xikrin; body covered by conspicuous small greenish-yellow dots of similar size on head, trunk, and fins in H. wolverine). Can be further distinguished from its congeners by a combination of additional characters: it differs from its congeners except H. wolverine by caudal peduncle depth 11.5–12.9% of SL (vs. 9.7–11.3% in H. tricornis, 10.1–11.3% in H. munduruku, 10.0–11.0% in H. xikrin). Differs from H. tricornis and H. wolverine by connection strut between anterior process of compound pterotic and main body shaped as a continuous sheet (vs. connection strut narrow and bar-shaped, leaving a large posterior gap. It differs from Hopliancistrus xikrin by the transverse processes of first and second dorsal-fin pterygiophores sutured to each other (vs. absence of contact between the transverse processes of first and second dorsal-fin pterygiophores). Also differs from H. tricornis by the possession of five branched rays on anal-fin (vs. four). Habitat: Hopliancistrus xavante is currently known from small tributaries of the middle portion of Rio Xingu (Fresco and Jauri rivers) and upper Rio Xingu basin at Cachoeira von Martius and its tributaries such as Rio Culuene, Rio Curisevo, and Rio Sucuri. Aquarium Care: Likes a current in the aquarium and are peaceful habitants. Likes a higher temperature and need frequent water changes to keep them in good health. Sexual Differences: Males posses a broad head region and more prominent bristling on the edge of the snout. Diet: Omnivore; veg foods such as lettuce, spinach, cucumber and veg. tablets. Live and frozen foods such as Cyclops, Daphnia and brine shrimp. Etymology: The new species is named after the Xavante, an indigenous ethnic group nowadays inhabiting several Indigenous Lands that form part of its earlier territory of traditional occupation, in the region comprised by the Serra do Roncador and the valleys of the Rio das Mortes, Rio Culuene, Rio Couto de Magalhães, Rio Batovi, and Rio Garc¸as, in the eastern Mato Grosso State.

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Loricariidae

South America: Brazil, upper Rio Xingu basin.

12.0cm. (4¾ins)

26-30°c (79-87°f.)

5.5-7.0.