Cat-eLog Right Loricariidae Right Hypostominae Right Hypancistrus  |  | 

Down 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.
Down 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 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.
Down 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)

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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)
Down 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.
Down Further Information
Reference Copeia 2007 (no. 1), pp 74, Figs. 1B, 8.
Registered Keepers There are 13 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 10 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2022 Jan 21 12:19 (species record created: 2002 Aug 06 00:00)