Ancistrus leucostictus • Loricariidae • Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Ancistrus leucostictus** (Günther, 1864)
Common Name(s)	Bristlenose Catfish
Type Locality	Essequibo R., Guyana.
Synonym(s)	Chaetostomus leucostictus
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. The specific epithet is derived from Leucos (greek) = white, stictus (greek) = spotted.
Species Information
Size	100mm (3.9") 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. See general remarks - this fish is very unlikely to appear in the local fish shop!
Sexing	Males develop soft tentacles on the head.
General Remarks	In well over a decade of this site being in operation, all fish seen sold under the name Ancistrus leucostictus are misidentified. French Guyana, where this species comes from, isn't exporting fish for the aquatic trade, and hasn't been for a long time. A common species sold under the name of A. leucostictus is the Ancistrus sp`Rio Ucayali`, but could be any of the commonly available Acnsitrus.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Essequibo River basin and possibly all main Guianan rivers to the Oyapock River. Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Essequibo (click on these areas to find other species found there) (Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)
Temperature	25.0-28.0°C or 77-82.4°F (Show others within this range)
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.
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	Unreported.
Further Information
References	Cat. Fishes v. 5 248
Registered Keepers	(1) Lakatu, (2) ChristianS. Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.
Breeding Reports	None.
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Last Update	2010 Dec 27 07:27 (species record created: 2007 Apr 14 18:23)

Cat-eLog Data Sheet

Scientific Name

Ancistrus leucostictus (Günther, 1864)

Common Name(s)

Bristlenose Catfish

Type Locality

Essequibo R., Guyana.

Synonym(s)

Chaetostomus leucostictus

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. The specific epithet is derived from Leucos (greek) = white, stictus (greek) = spotted.

Species Information

Size

100mm (3.9") 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.

See general remarks - this fish is very unlikely to appear in the local fish shop!

Sexing

Males develop soft tentacles on the head.

General Remarks

In well over a decade of this site being in operation, all fish seen sold under the name Ancistrus leucostictus are misidentified. French Guyana, where this species comes from, isn't exporting fish for the aquatic trade, and hasn't been for a long time. A common species sold under the name of A. leucostictus is the Ancistrus sp`Rio Ucayali`, but could be any of the commonly available Acnsitrus.

Habitat Information

Distribution

South America: Essequibo River basin and possibly all main Guianan rivers to the Oyapock River.
Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Essequibo (click on these areas to find other species found there)

(Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)

Temperature

25.0-28.0°C or 77-82.4°F (Show others within this range)

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.

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

Unreported.

Further Information

References

Cat. Fishes v. 5 248

Registered Keepers

(1) Lakatu, (2) ChristianS.

Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.

Breeding Reports

None.