Cat-eLog Right Loricariidae Right Hypostominae Right Ancistrus  |  | 

  • Ancistrus caucanusRio Claro, middle Magdalena River valley
  • Ancistrus caucanusRio Claro, middle Magdalena River valley
  • Ancistrus caucanusRio Claro, middle Magdalena River valley
  • Ancistrus caucanus
  • Ancistrus caucanusDorsal view
  • Ancistrus caucanusVentral view
  • Ancistrus caucanusClose-up of pectoral fin
Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Ancistrus caucanus  Fowler, 1943
Common Name
Type Locality Sonsón, Río Cauca basin, Colombia.
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 based on the Río Cauca that the holotype was caught in.
Down Species Information
Size 52mm or 2" 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.
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.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Cauca River basin in Colombia.
Colombia Caribbean Rivers, Magdalena, Cauca (click on these areas to find other species found there)

Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2014.
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 Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia v. 95, pp 253, Figs. 40-43.
Registered Keepers There are 2 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 are 3 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode
Search for A. caucanus
Look up AquaticRepublic.com Look up A. caucanus on AquaticRepublic.com
Look up on Fishbase Look up A. caucanus on Fishbase
Look up on Encyclopedia of Life Look up A. caucanus on Encyclopedia of Life
Look up on Global Biodiversity Information Facility Look up A. caucanus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Ancistrus caucanus QR code LFS label creator
Last Update 2020 Oct 03 13:16 (species record created: 2008 Feb 03 09:08)