Cat-eLog Right Arrow Loricariidae Right Arrow Hypostominae Right Arrow Ancistrus

Jump to next section 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.
Jump to next section Species Information
Size 90mm or 3.5" 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.
Jump to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Cave in Formoso phreatic system, Rio Formoso basin, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
La Plata, Paraná, Paraguay, Upper Paraguay, Formoso (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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Jump to next section 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.
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.
Jump to next section Further Information
Reference Revue française d'Aquariologie Herpétologie v. 24 (no. 3-4), pp 74, Figs. 3-4.
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Last Update 2019 Sep 26 14:53 (species record created: 2003 Aug 16 00:00)