Cat-eLog Right Loricariidae Right Hypostominae Right Hypancistrus  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Hypancistrus inspector  Armbruster, 2002
Common Names L102, Snowball Pleco
Ægplettet Sugemalle (Denmark), Snowball-Pleco (Germany)
Type Locality Río Casiquiare, Río Negro, Río Amazonas drainage, about 10 river kilometers above the Río Negro, below Solano, 1°58'N, 67°05'W, Dpto. Casiquiare, Amazonas, Venezuela.
Pronunciation hype an siss truss
Etymology A contraction of the Greek hypo (meaning less than) and ancistrus, an allusion to the reduced number of teeth (particularly in the lower jaw) found in this genus. Inspector is Latin for observer. It is in reference to the large eyes.
Articles
Article Link - Shane's World Right Reproduction Right Notes on keeping and spawning Hypancistrus inspector
Down Species Information
Size 160mm or 6.3" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Although black or reddish dark grey with white spots, the snowball pleco is most easily identified by the black ribbon or seam along the margin of its caudal and dorsal fins. Additionally its dentition is noticeably different from other plecos matching what you would expect in a species of Hypancistrus. Similarity to other light-spotted Hypancistrus species are H. contradens, H. sp. L201 and H. sp. L501. This species is higher bodied than L201 and has smaller spots on the head versus fairly uniform sized spots in L501.
Sexing The female is black-brown with white spots while the male has a lot more reddish tones in its colours and white spots. The male has strong odontodal growth while the female has almost none and is a lot fuller and rounder in body shape.
General Remarks Introduced as DATZ 7/1992 pp416-417.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution Brazil, Amazonas, Rio Negro (Barcelos)
Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Negro (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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pH 5.4 - 7.6
Temperature 22.0-30.0°C or 71.6-86°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters It is unclear if this fish is a white, clear or black water species.
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding It is a carnivore but will also do well on a variety of foods. Feed mainly with spirulina, tabimin and some shrimp mix / artemia. User data.
Furniture Keep them in a tank with caves, some roots and no plants. A strong current is not necessary for this species.
Compatibility They do well with peaceful tankmates.
Suggested Tankmates Small tetras and other similar small fish. Also Corydoras. Care has to be taken to ensure that they get enough food, as they can be a bit shy and slow to grab food when available.
Breeding See article link below.
Breeding Reports There are 3 breeding reports, read them all here.
Down Further Information
Reference Copeia 2002 (no. 1), pp 87, Fig. 2.
Registered Keepers There are 87 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list.
There are 8 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There are 26 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Hypancistrus inspector QR code LFS label creator
ARN ref:1.4.7.204
Last Update 2022 Jan 14 12:46 (species record created: 2001 Apr 19 00:00)