PlanetCatfish.com - Hypancistrus furunculus (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Adult
Juvenile
Close-up of female
Close-up of male
Underside of head
Close-up of head
Dorsal fin
Caudal fin
Three day old fry
Five month old youngster
Dorsal view
Juvenile

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Hypancistrus furunculus** Armbruster, Lujan & Taphorn, 2007
Common Names	L199, Gulhovedet Zebrasugemalle (Denmark) Yellowhead Zebra Pleco
Type Locality	Cucue Amerindian village on Río Orinoco, 60 kilometers east of San Juan de Atabapo, 3°58'26''N, 67°09'30''W, 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. Furunculus is Latin for a petty thief or pilferer, and is in reference to the dark band between the eyes that is similar to a bandit?s mask.
Species Information
Size	120mm or 4.7" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Sexing	Mature males have thicker first pectoral ray, more pronounced odontodes on the first pectoral fin ray and odontodes on the cheeks and/or rear of the body, and typically a wider head. Mature females are wider around the middle of the body, and much less noticeable body and fin odontodes.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Río Orinoco in Venezuela. Orinoco, Upper Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
Temperature	24.5-28.5°C or 76.1-83.3°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Unlike the popular opinion of many other loricariids, Hypancistrus are more carnivores than algae eaters. This is backed up by a small and lightly toothed mouth that indicates they are poor algae scrapers. Provide small and frequent supply of mainly meaty foods such as dry discus food, bloodworm and even brineshrimp with the infrequent offering of flake or algae tablets. User data.
Furniture	Sand, primarily rocks and optionally driftwood. Caves made out of slate plates, bamboo or PVC pipe.
Compatibility	Suitable with most fish, as long as they are not too large or territorial about bottom-space.
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	Cave breeder, as per other Hypancistrus species.
Breeding Reports	There are 4 breeding reports, read them all here.
Further Information
Reference	Copeia 2007 (no. 1), pp 71, Figs. 1C, 7.
Registered Keepers	There are 102 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 31 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up H. furunculus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up H. furunculus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.7.222
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:36 (species record created: 2001 Apr 19 00:00)