Cat-eLog Right Loricariidae Right Hypostominae Right Ancistrus  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Ancistrus dolichopterus  Kner, 1854
Common Names L183, Starlight Bristlenose Catfish
Blå Antennmal (Sweden), Dolly Pleco, Hvidsømmet Antennesugemalle (Denmark), Starlight Bushymouth Catfish
Type Locality Manaus, Brazil.
Synonym(s) Hypostoma punctatum, Xenocara dolichoptera
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. This specific epithet refers to its long (dolichos=long) fins (pteron=fins).
Articles
Article Link - CotM Right 2014 Right February
Down Species Information
Size 118mm or 4.6" 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 overall appearance of this species is not as useful for identification as you may think - there are many Ancistrus species which have a dark base with small white dots as colour pattern. There is however a key that differentiates this species from all other (currently known) Ancistrus species - it's the only species with one hard and nine soft dorsal rays (I,9). Also encountered under the name Ancistrus hoplogenys.
Sexing Males have head tentacles, females do not.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution South America: upper and middle Brazilian Amazon River basin and from the Negro, lower Trombetas, Tefé, Madeira and Tapajós River basins.
Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Negro, Lower Negro (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Trombetas, Lower Trombetas (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Tefé (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Madeira (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Tapajós (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Nhamundá (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 2020.
pH 5.0 - 6.5
Temperature 23.0-28.0°C or 73.4-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters A blackwater resident that can be somewhat delicate if not kept in similar conditions in captivity.
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Ancistrus are omnivorous with something of a vegetarian bent. Vegetables and commercially prepared food are avidly taken. They also like to eat blood worms, gammarus and most frozen foods. You can also witness them eating dead fish when they find a carcass before you do. User data.
Furniture Prefers wood to stone. Bamboo caves are best but will also take refuge in slate or PVC pipes.
Compatibility Will defend their own territories, but these are small and so groups can be housed in relatively small aquaria.
Suggested Tankmates Appropriate with most community fish that aren't overly big or aggressive.
Breeding Reasonably straight forward once the correct (black water) parameters are attained. Spawning follows the typical pattern for the genus. The female lays around 50 eggs in a cave or hole that is guarded by the male.
Breeding Reports There are 20 breeding reports, read them all here.
Down Further Information
Reference Denkschriften der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe. v. 7, pp 274 [24], Pl. 3 (fig. 1).
Registered Keepers There are 367 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list.
There are 25 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There are 106 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode
Search for A. dolichopterus
Look up AquaticRepublic.com Look up A. dolichopterus on AquaticRepublic.com
Look up on Fishbase Look up A. dolichopterus on Fishbase
Look up on Encyclopedia of Life Look up Ancistrus dolichopterus on Encyclopedia of Life
Look up on Global Biodiversity Information Facility Look up A. dolichopterus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Ancistrus dolichopterus QR code LFS label creator
Last Update 2022 Jan 19 09:42 (species record created: 2001 Apr 25 00:00)