Order Siluriformes
Family Loricariidae
Subfamily Ancistrinae
Continued…
Genus Hypancistrus.
Hypancistrus are small fishes originating from the rivers of South America. Males differ from females by a more slender body shape and the presence of larger odontodes on the cheeks and the first rays of the pectoral fins. They are nocturnal and crepuscular by nature. During the day, they usually hide in secluded spots and only become more active and bold at dusk. Unlike most members of the family, algal growth is not part of their diet. They prefer warm, well-oxygenated water. They mature at the age of 2-3 years.
— Hypancistrus contradens [Armbruster, Lujan & Taphorn, 2007]. In nature, they inhabit the soft and acidic waters of the Rio Negro (Brazil, Venezuela) and appreciate similar conditions in the aquarium. 12 cm, females are smaller. When young, they have very large eyes compared to their body. Their coloration is polymorphic. They resemble Hypancistrus inspector, from which they differ by the absence of a black border on the unpaired fins. They also resemble L 201, from which they differ by being flatter, more slender, and smaller in size.
White spots are scattered across a black (dark brown) background. Sometimes these are large white spots, sometimes finer, yellowish spots alternating with small asymmetrical short dashes. Sexually mature males can be distinguished from females by the presence of long odontodes on the gill covers (in females these are either absent or there are no more than three bristles) and by clearly longer spicules on the first ray of the pectoral fins.
Fairly active fish. Provide cave-like shelters for each fish, large stones, and driftwood can be used. Peaceful, can be kept in small groups. Caves are necessary for males, while females need a sufficient number of shelters – flower pots, tubes, driftwood. If suitable shelters are lacking, males may conflict with each other.
Do not keep them with large aggressive fish. The water must be well-oxygenated. Omnivorous fish that do not damage plants. Sexual maturity is reached at 2 years. Males guard the egg clutch. They grow very fast. pH 5.5-7.4; gH 4-12°; T 24-28°C.
— Hypancistrus debilittera [Armbruster, Lujan & Taphorn, 2007]. (Chocolate Zebra Pleco, Colombian Zebra Pleco). (L 129). Colombia, Orinoco River, Meta. 7 cm. On a dark gray or brown background, several sparse, broken, thin worm-like yellowish stripes, dots, and dashes are loosely distributed. During the spawning period, the dominant male develops bristles on the flanks of the rear half of the body.
Sand or smooth gravel is best used as a substrate, and the aquarium must also contain at least one piece of driftwood and smooth stones to provide hiding places for Hypancistrus. Prefers a dimly lit aquarium with plenty of hiding places, plants, driftwood, and rock piles. Ceramic tubes are used for spawning, inside which the male constantly stays.
If shelters are lacking, it becomes very aggressive. The water must be rich in oxygen, and regular water changes are essential to maintain good water quality. They prefer live and frozen food. The fish reaches sexual maturity in about two years. pH 6.4-7.6; dH 5-15°; T 24-28°C.
— Hypancistrus furunculus [Armbruster, Lujan & Taphorn, 2007]. (L 199). From the upper Orinoco River in Venezuela. 12 cm. On a white or cream background, wide, almost vertical black or gray stripes are present. Color contrast decreases with age. Males are larger.
When young, it is very difficult to distinguish males from females, but as they mature, significant differences appear. Small odontodes develop on the pectoral fins and head of males. Females may also have them, but they are significantly smaller in size and less noticeable. In addition, females have darker colors, a more rounded body shape, and are shorter in length.
A calm, peaceful species. Place rock structures in the lower part of the aquarium to create a sufficient number of hiding places. If kept in a group, each male needs a cave to establish its territory. They prefer high-quality water with mandatory current, which can be achieved using a filter or powerhead. The water must be well-oxygenated.
Fish of this species do not like bright light, so floating plants should grow on the surface. A nocturnal species, rarely seen under bright lighting. They need to be fed meaty foods, such as bloodworms, finely chopped mussels, or shrimp. They will not eat algae, although they may eat dry food. Plant-based food is only accepted by juveniles. T 23-26°C; dH up to 18°; pH 5.5-7.5.
— Hypancistrus inspector [Armbruster, 2002]. (Snowball Pleco). (L 102). Venezuela, Brazil, Rio Negro basin. 15 cm. Named inspector due to its high-set, large eyes. The coloration of the fish is polymorphic. On a black, dark gray, or reddish-brown background, there are rounded white to yellowish spots, the diameter of which decreases towards the head.
Sometimes these are large white spots, sometimes finer, yellowish spots alternating with small asymmetrical short dashes. It has a characteristic black border on the dorsal and caudal fins. The lower part of the body is white. Similar in appearance to H. contradens.
A small sucker-mouth with weak teeth immediately indicates that algal growth is by no means the main part of these fish’s diet. Sexually mature males can be distinguished from females by the presence of long odontodes on the gill covers (in females these are either absent or there are no more than three bristles) and by clearly longer spicules on the first ray of the pectoral fins. Males have more reddish tones in their coloration than females.
A non-aggressive species that can be kept with other peaceful fish. Set up decorations made of caves and roots to provide shelters and territorial separation. Inhabits soft and acidic waters and appreciates similar conditions in the aquarium. Substrate of sand or fine gravel. Prefers animal-based food with the addition of plant matter. Spawns in a cave. The male guards the clutch. pH 5.4-7.6; dH up to 15°; T 22-29°C.
— Hypancistrus lunaorum [Armbruster, Lujan & Taphorn, 2007]. (L 339). From the upper Orinoco River in Venezuela. 12 cm. On a black background, sparse small yellowish-orange spots that gradually disappear with age. Males have numerous bristles on the caudal peduncle and on the back behind the head. Peaceful, can be kept in small colonies.
Shelters in the form of caves for each fish, large smooth stones, driftwood can be used. Sand or smooth gravel is best used as a substrate. It is advisable to divide the bottom with stones or driftwood so males can partition their territories. Fish do not like bright light, so floating plants should grow on the surface. Water must be rich in oxygen, and regular water changes are essential to maintain good water quality.
They prefer meaty foods, but also accept vegetable matter such as lettuce or potatoes. They readily eat various tablets. Wood as ballast is not strictly necessary, but it serves well as a shelter for these fish. Reach sexual maturity at a size of 6 cm. T 26-30°C; pH 6.0-7.0; dH 5-15°.
— Hypancistrus zebra [Isbrucker & Nijssen, 1991]. (Imperial Pleco, Zebra Pleco). (L 046, L 098, L 173). Brazil, Amazon and Xingu rivers. 8-12 cm. They have a relatively long snout, with eyes positioned relatively high on the head. The coloration is rare for family members – a snow-white background with a bluish tint harmonizes perfectly with velvety-black diagonal stripes.
Most of the stripes run along the body, ending at the tail; only those on the head are transverse. The lines on the snout, visible from the front, are vertical, although they are parallel to the horizontal body lines. Also, the horizontal lines of the dorsal and pectoral fins continue from the top just like on the body.
Specimens with slightly wavy or broken lines can be found. Males are always larger and more slender than females, possessing spines on the pelvic fin rays, an elongated hooked spine of the premaxillary bones, and “whiskers”.
The fish are peaceful, quite timid; tankmates should not be overly aggressive. Nocturnal, best kept in a small group. Fish like to hide inside caves and crevices. It is best to keep them in groups consisting of one male and several females. Minor quarrels often occur between males, but they usually result in no serious injuries.
Territorial competition may occur if multiple males are housed together, hence it is important to provide them with a sufficient number of caves, ceramic tubes, and shelters. Driftwood is not preferred as a shelter in this case and is not part of their diet. They do not damage plants, nor do they clean algae from the aquarium.
Omnivorous, preferring animal-based food, with no need for plant matter. 2-3 tablets can be given in the evening before turning off the lights. Soft and neutral to slightly acidic, clean water is required; the chemical composition of the water is not as important as its cleanliness.
Fish are sensitive to sudden changes in water parameters and require stability. Intensive water aeration and filtration, as well as weekly water changes, are necessary. Bacterial turbidity, sharp fluctuations in water chemistry (especially nitrates), and food-related toxicosis can lead to fish death.
The first signs of trouble are changes in fish behavior. Fish isolate themselves in shelters, fins are clamped, mobility is low, fish linger for long periods in the aeration zone near the air stone, frequently scratch, and refuse food. In such cases, you should immediately raise the temperature to 30-32°C, perform active water changes, and sometimes filtering water through activated carbon for a short time is helpful.
Do not buy fish with red spots, skin lesions, or frayed fins. The eyes of a healthy catfish will have a bluish tint, and the same bluish tint should be present on the caudal fin. Since 95% of all incoming fish are wild-caught, they must undergo thorough antihelminthic treatment and strict quarantine.
Fish lay eggs on a pre-prepared, often hard-to-see surface in the area of operating filters or an air diffuser cascade. Spawning caves are made 14 cm long, 3 cm wide and high. There should be several of them so the male can choose, and they should be positioned with the opening facing the current. They live up to 10 years. pH 6.0-7.5; dH 2-12°; T 26-28°C.
Leporacanthicus galaxias, heterodon, joselimai, triactis.
Hemiancistrus annectens, guahiborum, subviridis. 
