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

From Rio Manapiare
Male in cave with fry
Fry
Adult male (old)
Collected in the upper rio Orinoco
H. cf. lunaorum
Unspotted variant
Unspotted variant
Unspotted variant
Unspotted variant

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Hypancistrus lunaorum** Armbruster, Lujan & Taphorn, 2007
Common Names	L339, Luna Angel Pleco Luna-englesugemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Río Guapuchi, first major riffle complex, Río Ventrari drainage, 4°07'00''N, 66°46'00''W, Amazonas, Venezuela.
Pronunciation	hype an siss truss - loo nah au rum
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. Named in honor of the Luna family, founders of the village of Macurucu on the Orinoco near the mouth of the Ventuari.
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 (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco, Upper Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco, Upper Orinoco, Ventuari, Manapiare (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	23.0-26.0°C or 73.4-78.8°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	Breeding has been accomplished under the following conditions: Temp 27°C pH 6.5 DGH 3 110 liter tank The tank was decorated with wood and rocks. Heavy circulation and filtration.
Breeding Reports	There is but a single breeding report, read it here.
Further Information
Reference	Copeia 2007 (no. 1), pp 74, Figs. 1B, 8.
Registered Keepers	There are 13 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 3 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 10 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up H. lunaorum on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up H. lunaorum on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.7.914
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:39 (species record created: 2002 Aug 06 00:00)