Cat-eLog Right Loricariidae Right Hypostominae Right Leporacanthicus  |  | 

  • Leporacanthicus heterodon
  • Leporacanthicus heterodonClose-up of "vampire" teeth
  • Leporacanthicus heterodonVentral view
  • Leporacanthicus heterodon
  • Leporacanthicus heterodon
  • Leporacanthicus heterodon
  • Leporacanthicus heterodon
  • Leporacanthicus heterodonClose-up of eye
  • Leporacanthicus heterodonDorsal view
  • Leporacanthicus heterodon
  • Leporacanthicus heterodonClose-up of mouth
  • Leporacanthicus heterodonHead-on view
  • Leporacanthicus heterodonVideo
  • Leporacanthicus heterodon
  • Leporacanthicus heterodon108.6mm SL
  • Leporacanthicus heterodonClose-up of head
  • Leporacanthicus heterodonRio Xingu in background
  • Leporacanthicus heterodonHabitat: Rio Xingu, Brazil
  • Leporacanthicus heterodon
  • Leporacanthicus heterodon
  • Leporacanthicus heterodon
Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Leporacanthicus heterodon  Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989
Common Names Golden Vampire Pleco
Gylden Vampyrsugemalle (Denmark), Heterodon Harnischwels (Germany)
Type Locality Cachoeira von Martius, upper Rio Xingú, Mato Grosso State, Brazil.
Pronunciation lepor ah KAN thi cuss
Etymology Latin, lepus, leporis = rabbit + Greek, akantha = thorn. 
Down Species Information
Size 103mm or 4.1" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification All Leporacanthicus spp. have a small backwards facing slightly proud blunt thorn-like plate on top of their heads.
Sexing Adult males have a much longer and broader head with small odontodes on the sides of head, more odontodes on pectoral fin spine and on the whole body, a bigger dorsal fin and normally a prettier colouration.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Xingu River basin, Brazil.
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 26.0-29.0°C or 78.8-84.2°F (Show species within this range)
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Not a true vegetarian so a wide variety of foods, including algae wafers, cucumber or courgette (zucchini), frozen bloodworm, prawns, shrimps and tablet food. Shelled crustaceans or mollusks appear favourite foods but should be fed sparingly or used for conditioning. User data.
Furniture Prefers bogwood and darker rocks.
Compatibility Gets on with small lively catfish but avoid too many other larger bottom dwellers (unless space permits) due to the territorial disputes.
Suggested Tankmates Most small to medium community fish. Tetras and South American cichlids are ideal, unless you really go for it when providing a strong water current.
Breeding Documented in the DATZ special issue ''Loricariids 2'' , September 2001.
Breeding Reports There are 2 breeding reports, read them all here.
Down Further Information
Reference Die Aquarien- und Terrarienzeitschrift (DATZ) v. 42 (no. 9), pp 547, Figs. 12, 18-19.
Registered Keepers There are 68 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 3 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There are 28 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2021 Jan 09 02:43 (species record created: 2001 Apr 25 00:00)