PlanetCatfish.com - Ancistrus formoso (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Loricariidae Hypostominae Ancistrus | |

Dorsal view of holotype
Ventral view of holotype
Male (same individual as right)1 year in captivity
Recently collected, same individual as left.

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Ancistrus formoso** Sabino & Trajano, 1997
Common Name	Blind Cave Bristlenose
Type Locality	Buraco do Ducho cave, Serra da Bodoquena, Município de Bonito, 21°08'S, 56°28'W, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
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. Named for the Formoso phreatic (groundwater) system in Brazil where this species was found.
Species Information
Size	79mm or 3.1" 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. The only species of naturally occurring Ancistrus totally devoid of pigmentation.
Sexing	Typical for the genus with males possessing the so-called ''bushy nose''. Females also may have much smaller growths on the head but to a much lesser extent.
General Remarks	Discovered in 1992, collected in 1995, described in 1997.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Buraco do Ducho Cave in Formoso phreatic system, Brazil. La Plata, Paraná, Paraguay, Upper Paraguay, Formoso (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Vulnerable , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2018.
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.
Furniture	Reacts negatively to light.
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.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Revue française d'Aquariologie Herpétologie v. 24 (no. 3-4), pp 74, Figs. 3-4.
Registered Keepers	There are 6 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is but a single wish to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There is but a single record of this fish being seen, view it.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.4.1081
Last Update	2025 Jan 01 12:06 (species record created: 2003 Aug 16 00:00)