Cat-eLog Right Loricariidae Right Hypostominae Right Ancistrus  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Ancistrus leucostictus  (Günther, 1864)
Common Names Bristlenose Catfish
Hvidbræmmet Sugemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality Essequibo River, 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.
Down Species Information
Size 100mm or 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 and while sometimes females also do, it is never to the grand extent of those found on that of the conspecific male.
General Remarks Since at least the 1990s, fish seen sold under the name Ancistrus leucostictus are misidentified. French Guyana, where this species comes from, doesn't export fish for the aquatic trade, and hasn't for a long time. A common species sold under the name of A. leucostictus is Ancistrus sp`Rio Ucayali`, but could be any of the commonly available Ancistrus.
Down 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)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
Temperature 25.0-28.0°C or 77-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
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 Unreported.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference Catalogue of the fishes in the British Museum v. 5, pp 248.
Registered Keepers There are 2 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There are 2 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2023 Apr 15 04:41 (species record created: 2007 Apr 14 18:23)