Description:
The genus Pseudolithoxus now includes six
species, P.
anthrax,
P.
dumus,
P. nicoi, P. tigris, P.
kelsorum
and P.
kinja.
Previously described as the Lasiancistrus anthrax
group. They are characterized by evertible cheek plates,
a very dorsoventrally flattened body, extremely hypertrophied
odontodes (integumentary teeth) on elongated pectoral
spines and along the snout margin, and 3 rows of plates
on the caudal peduncle. In addition, it appears as
if females as well as males develop hypertrophied
snout and pectoral-fin odontodes, traits normally
restricted to nuptial males in other Loricariids.
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total):
7; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 5. Body and head
with numerous black bars. Lateral line plates 23-24;
dorsal plates 7-8; interdorsal plates 4-5; adipose-caudal
plates 7-8; folded dorsal fin plates 11-12; and postanal
plates 11-12. Aquarium Care: I would
suggest a minimum size of 48” x 18” X
18” for one or two of these catfish, with plenty
of hiding places amongst bogwood and plantsand the
ideal aquarium substrate to use would be aquarium
sand such as BD Aquarium Sand. As with all other species
of fish, water quality and general husbandry is very
important, and I would recommend that a minimum of
25% water is changed on a weekly basis. This fish
has similar requirements to other loricariids, so
should do well under normal aquarium conditions. Sexual
Differences: Females have a narrower head
with a larger body while males possess odontodes on
the edge of the snout, behind the gill cover and to
the pectoral fin spine. Diet: Omnivore:
vegetable and animal foods such as green foods, vegetable
tablets, live and frozen foods.
Common
Name:
L257, Tiger flyer cat.
Synonyms:
Lasiancistrus tigris
Family:
Loricariidae
Distribution:
South America:
Upper Orinoco and Ventuari River basins in Venezuela.
Size:
9.0cm. (3½ins)
Temp:
25-29°c (77-85°f)
p.H.
6.0-7.0.
Reference:
Armbruster, J.W. and
F. Provenzano,
2000. Four new species of the suckermouth armored
catfish genus Lasiancistrus (Loricariidae: Ancistrinae).
Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwat. 11(3):241-254.
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