Cat-eLog Right Loricariidae Right Hypostominae Right Ancistrus  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Ancistrus ranunculus  Muller, Rapp Py-Daniel & Zuanon, 1994
Common Names L034, Medusa Pleco
Bredhovedet Antenne-sugemalle (Denmark), Kaulquappenwels/Bristle Bushmouth (Germany)
Type Locality Rio Xingú, furo do Tucum Seco, near Arroz Cru, Pará State, Brazil.
Pronunciation an SISS truss - rah nun kew luss
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 small frog or tadpole (ranunculus=diminutive frog or tadpole) and refers to its unusually wide head.
Articles
Article Link - Shane's World Right Reproduction Right Breeding the Medusa Pleco, Ancistrus ranunculus
Down Species Information
Size 129mm or 5.1" 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.

Although all black, this is an easily identified species of Ancistrus due to its extreme head-width.
Sexing Both sexes exhibit the Ancistrus trademark head-tentacles but they are much more prominent in sexually mature males.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Xingu and Tocantins River basins in Brazil.
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Tocantins (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Xingu (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Near Threatened, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2018.
Temperature 25.0-28.0°C or 77-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Although still omnivorous, tends to be more of a carnivore than your average Ancistrus. User data.
Furniture Natural habitat is stony streams. Prefers to hide between cracks in the rock-base or under flat stones on the bottom.
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 All community fish, small to medium sized cichlids.
Breeding Typical Ancistrus breeding behaviour. Males stay in caves and guard the brood. Females lay about 8 to 12 eggs. Eggs hatch after 5-7 days. After about 10 days the yolk sac is totally absorbed and the young start to eat. Fry are not problematic to raise. Once conditioned for spawning they spawn as often as common Ancistrus. Further information in breeding reports and Shane's World articles.
Breeding Reports There are 2 breeding reports, read them all here.
Down Further Information
Reference Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters v. 5 (no. 4), pp 290, Fig. 1.
Registered Keepers There are 112 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 43 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2020 Nov 08 05:24 (species record created: 2001 Apr 25 00:00)