Cat-eLog Right Loricariidae Right Hypostominae Right Ancistrus  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Ancistrus cirrhosus  (Valenciennes, 1836)
Common Names Bristlenose Catfish
Skægget Sugemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality No locality.
Synonym(s) Hypostomus cirrhosus, Typupiscis lujanensis
Pronunciation an SISS truss
Etymology The name Ancistrus is derived from the Greek word agkistron, meaning hook, in reference to the interopercular odontodes that are hooked. This specific epithet literally means hairy (cirrus=hair) and refers to its tentacles.
Down Species Information
Size 89mm or 3.5" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Mature males and sometimes females have soft tentacles (bushy fleshy growths) on the snout - this is unique to the genus Ancistrus.
Sexing Males develop soft tentacles on the head and while sometimes females also do, it is never to the grand extent of those found on that of the conspecific male.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Paraná River basin.
La Plata, Paraná (click on these areas to find other species found there)

Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Ancistrus should be fed mainly on vegetarian foods. Prepared foods include algae wafers and spirulina based sinking food. Vegetables such as courgette/zucchini, and (English) cucumber are an excellent addition to the diet, along with the odd, small amount of more meaty foods. User data.
Compatibility A good complement to most aquariums, they are not aggressive to other species. Males may fight over territory if kept in too small a tank.
Suggested Tankmates Appropriate with most community fish that aren't overly big or aggressive.
Breeding All Ancistrus species are cave-breeders, where the male looks after the eggs and young fry.
Breeding Reports There are 4 breeding reports, read them all here.
Down Further Information
Reference Voyage dans l'Amérique méridionale, pp Pl. 7 (fig. 3).
Registered Keepers There are 51 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list.
There are 2 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There are 21 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode
Search for A. cirrhosus
Look up AquaticRepublic.com Look up A. cirrhosus on AquaticRepublic.com
Look up on Fishbase Look up A. cirrhosus on Fishbase
Look up on Encyclopedia of Life Look up A. cirrhosus on Encyclopedia of Life
Look up on Global Biodiversity Information Facility Look up A. cirrhosus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Ancistrus cirrhosus QR code LFS label creator
Last Update 2022 Apr 20 11:24 (species record created: 2008 Feb 03 09:10)