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Description: The genus Leporacanthicus is characterised by the possession of having a small suckermouth with lip barbels on the top and pointed teeth. Leporacanthicus is readily identifiable from all other Ancistrini by the development of only two teeth in each premaxilla, the inner teeth being very long (all other Ancistrini have more than two teeth in the premaxilla), by having a well-raised supraoccipital crest (the supraoccipital in most Ancistrini is flat to slightly raised) and by having numerous long barbels above the upper jaws. It has been hypothesized that the enlarged teeth of the upper jaw are used to remove snails from their shells (Burgess 1994). The males have a more elongated body and a broader head and they also posses short odontodes on the edges of the snout which the females lack. Aquarium Care: This fish can be territorial with its own kind and so must have a big enough aquarium if more than one is kept. Regular water changes must be adhered to, and also having a powerful filter system that can deliver a high oxygen content. Hiding places are beneficial to this fish with bogwood or wood of some description and/or some rockwork. L. joselimai has been bred in the aquarium. Up to 150 eggs can be laid. The youngsters can be raised on Artemia nauplii and tablet foods. The white tips to the dorsal and caudal fins usually disappear with age. Diet: Not a true vegetarian so a wide variety of foods including algae, algae wafers, cucumber or courgette ( zucchini), prawns, shrimps and tablet food.

Grey Leporacanthicus, Sultan pleco, L264

None

Loricariidae

Brazil: Pará, Rio Tapajós (Pimental-Jacaréacanga). Type locality: Brasilien, Est. Pará, Maloquinha, perta de Itaituba, Rio Tapajós.

15.0-20.0cm. (6-8ins)

26-30°c (79-87°f.)

6.0-7.0.

Datz Special: All L-Numbers: Habitat, Care & Diet
Seidel, I. 2008. Back to Nature guide to L-catfishes, Ettlingen, Germany 208 p