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Mark Henry Sabaj (1) Haakon Haagensen (1)

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 xikrin is distinguished from its congeners by having ground body colour brown with fainted whitish-yellow spots of moderate size (usually smaller than pupil) on posterior portion of body (vs. body colour black or dark olive covered by conspicuous greenish-yellow smalls dots of similar size on head, trunk and fins in H. wolverine; body colour brown with large fainted whitish-yellow spots on posterior portion of the body, spots always larger than pupil in H. tricornis, H. munduruku and H. xavante). Can be further distinguished from its congeners by the absence of contact between the transverse processes of first and second dorsal-fin pterygiophores (vs. the transverse processes of first and second dorsal-fin pterygiophores sutured to each other). Distinguished from its congeners except H. wolverine by pectoral-fin spine length 32.1–35.7% of SL (vs. 25.1–29.9% in H. tricornis, 24.5–30.9% in H. munduruku and 27.4–30.8% of SL in H. xavante). Also differs from H. tricornis and H. wolverine by the connection strut between anteroventral process of compound pterotic and the main body shaped as a continuous sheet (vs. connection strut narrow and bar-shaped, leaving a large posterior gap). Differs from H. xavante by having dorsal, caudal, and anal fins covered by dark brown to black spots (vs. all fins covered by large yellowish-white spots); by narrow nasal bone plate (vs. nasal broad, sometimes slightly triangular, see Fig 2); by having nuchal plate exposed, and covered by odontodes (vs. nuchal plate covered by thick skin and usually lacking odontodes) and by caudal peduncle depth 10.0–11.0% of SL (vs. 11.5–12.9% of SL). Also differs from H. tricornis by the possession of five branched rays on anal-fin (vs. four). Habitat: Hopliancistrus xikrin is known from small to medium-sized tributaries of the middle portion of Rio Xingu, like Rio Bacaja' and Rio Bacajai', at the Volta Grande area. 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 Xikrin, an indigenous ethnic group inhabiting the Rio Bacaja' margins. The Xikrin people belong to the "Je" linguistic trunk, calling themselves "Mebengokre". They are related to the Kayapo people with whom they share the same self-denomination, cultural characteristics such as body painting patterns, language, residence and marital relations, rituals, chants, and naming system.

L171, LDA015

None

Loricariidae

South America: Brazil, Rio Iriri.

15.0cm. (6ins)

26-30°c (79-87°f.)

5.5-7.0.