PlanetCatfish.com - Hypancistrus inspector (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Original L102 image
Caudal fin
Close-up of head
Close-up of male
Adult
Holotype - ventral view
Holotype
Close-up of head
Ventral view of head

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Hypancistrus inspector** Armbruster, 2002
Common Names	L102, Snowball Pleco Ægplettet Sugemalle (Denmark), Snowball-Pleco (Germany)
Type Locality	Río Casiquiare, Río Negro, Río Amazonas drainage, about 10 river kilometers above the Río Negro, below Solano, 1°58'N, 67°05'W, Dpto. Casiquiare, Amazonas, Venezuela.
Pronunciation	hype an siss truss
Etymology	A contraction of the Greek hypo (meaning less than) and ancistrus, an allusion to the reduced number of teeth (particularly in the lower jaw) found in this genus. Inspector is Latin for observer. It is in reference to the large eyes.
Articles	- Shane's World Reproduction Notes on keeping and spawning Hypancistrus inspector
Species Information
Size	160mm or 6.3" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Although black or reddish dark grey with white spots, the snowball pleco is most easily identified by the black ribbon or seam along the margin of its caudal and dorsal fins. Additionally its dentition is noticeably different from other plecos matching what you would expect in a species of Hypancistrus. Similarity to other light-spotted Hypancistrus species are H. contradens, H. sp. L201 and H. sp. L501. This species is higher bodied than L201 and has smaller spots on the head versus fairly uniform sized spots in L501.
Sexing	The female is black-brown with white spots while the male has a lot more reddish tones in its colours and white spots. The male has strong odontodal growth while the female has almost none and is a lot fuller and rounder in body shape.
General Remarks	Introduced as DATZ 7/1992 pp416-417.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Brazil, Amazonas, Rio Negro (Barcelos) Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Negro (click on these areas to find other species found there) Log in to view data on a map.
pH	5.4 - 7.6
Temperature	22.0-30.0°C or 71.6-86°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	It is unclear if this fish is a white, clear or black water species.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	It is a carnivore but will also do well on a variety of foods. Feed mainly with spirulina, tabimin and some shrimp mix / artemia. User data.
Furniture	Keep them in a tank with caves, some roots and no plants. A strong current is not necessary for this species.
Compatibility	They do well with peaceful tankmates.
Suggested Tankmates	Small tetras and other similar small fish. Also Corydoras. Care has to be taken to ensure that they get enough food, as they can be a bit shy and slow to grab food when available.
Breeding	See article link below.
Breeding Reports	There are 3 breeding reports, read them all here.
Further Information
Reference	Copeia 2002 (no. 1), pp 87, Fig. 2.
Registered Keepers	There are 86 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 8 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 24 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode

	Search for H. inspector
	Look up H. inspector on AquaticRepublic.com
	Look up H. inspector on Fishbase
	Look up H. inspector on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up H. inspector on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator
Last Update	2022 Jan 14 12:46 (species record created: 2001 Apr 19 00:00)