Ancistrus, aquarium fish
In constant evolution, the genus Ancistrus has about sixty species to which new discoveries are regularly added which - not yet described - are assigned a provisional number. This fish belonging to the loricaridae family was discovered in 1854. It lives in the Amazon, especially in the Rio Negro river basin, in Brazil, and in neighboring countries.
Description and identity card of the Ancistrus
Common Ancistrus (Ancistrus Dolichopterus), usually found in aquariums, is a hybrid fish selected for the aquarium trade. An Ancistrus in captivity measures 15 cm maximum with an average of 9 cm for the female and 13 cm for the male. It can live up to 10 years.
The Ancistrus are fairly territorial fish, 120 liters seems a minimum for maintaining a couple or a trio. The container should be well decorated with roots and plants so that they can benefit from subdued light. It is a fish that is mainly active at night. A medium current is very appreciated by the ancistrus. It coexists very well with most fish.
The common ancistrus is distinguished by a broad head with a sucker mouth and fleshy lips. These characteristics are an adaptation to strong current water so that the animal can settle and live anywhere, without being carried away by the waves. Sprinkled with white dots, its black body is adorned with bony plates (except on the belly), while white borders adorn the ends of its dorsal fin and its tail. The first ray of its widely developed fins is spiny, hence the need to handle the animal with care. Other varieties are commercially available such as the ancistrus Gold (Ancistrus albino) with a golden yellow body and red eyes.
In the aquarium: the common species adapts easily
Native to warm regions of the globe, the ancistrus can evolve in water at a temperature between 23 to 27°C. The common species adapts easily to the different degrees of hardness and acidity of the water, which explains its success with beginner aquarists: the PH will be between 6 and 8 and the GH between 5 and 12. One volume minimum of 200 liters of water must be offered to the ancistrus within the framework of a community life.
To get as close as possible to its biotope, it is advisable to cover the bottom of the tank with sand and to deposit stumps, driftwood and a pile of stones so as to constitute caves. It is in these hiding places that he will spend most of his day, preferring to be active at night.
It's when the little bucks get bigger that the problems start. Indeed, it is difficult to keep several males in the same tank because of their territorial character. The risk is therefore to find yourself with several dozen small Ancistrus to place, which can be difficult given the many and common reproductions of this species. The tragedy is that it sometimes happens that a young Pléco is mistaken in store for an ancistrus. The first can easily exceed 35 cm and require a very large aquarium, while the ancistrus will be satisfied with an 80 liter aquarium and will not exceed 13 cm. So to avoid this kind of mishap, you have to have the species confirmed by the seller.
The Ancistrus are not cleaners…
The Ancistrus are not cleaners... They feed on plants but are not garbage collectors who clean the tank, it is the aquarist's job to wash the windows and pick up the waste. Ancistrus and other Loricariids need to be fed specifically. A very pretty species to discover or to order if you want to have an ancistrus in your tank. It is original, strong and attractive and just as productive as the "common" ancistrus. I think it will delight aquarists wishing to own one, and I hope that we will see it much more often than we see today, at least, at the date this article is published. writing.