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Danny Blundell (3) Peru Aquarium Group (1) clunk (2) Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (2) Elko Kinlechner (3)

Habitat: It was originally described from the lower Tocantins River in Brazil, but individuals resembling the species have also been recorded from Amazonian Peru. The species is occasionally seen in the aquarium trade, but its massive adult size and territorially aggressive behavior means that a very large tank is required. Colouration: Dark brown to black with numerous white spots as a juvenile. As the fish matures, the spots become less numerous and smaller, often disappearing entirely in large adults. Its close relative A. hystrix always lack white spots, regardless of age. In contrast, A. adonis lacks the vermiculated pattern often (but not always) found on the underparts of A. hystrix. Aquarium Care: One of the largest Loricariids known, so would need to be kept in exceptionally large aquariums. Intolerant of other large Loricariids. Diet: Omnivores and will require large amounts of vegetable foods, tablet and frozen foods such as shrimps and mussels. There are only two described species in this genera, this species and A. hystrix. Etymology: The specific name adonis: Handsome, after Adonis, beloved of Venus. Remarks: There are two variants commonly considered as separate, undescribed species in the aquarium trade (e.g., L193 from the Orinoco basin and L407 from the Branco basin), but there is extensive overlap in the morphometrics of the different populations.

Polka Dot Lyre Tail Pleco

None

Loricariidae

Brazil: Pará, Rio Tocantins (Cametá). Type locality: Brasilien, Est. Pará, Rio Tocantins bei Cametá (0º14'S, 49º30.5'W).

100.0cm. (39ins)

25-29°c (77-85°f.)

6.0-7.5.

Chamon, C.C. (2016): Redescription of Acanthicus hystrix Agassiz, 1829 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), with comments on the systematics and distribution of the genus. Zootaxa, 4088 (3): 395–408.
Salvador, G.N. 2023. Acanthicus adonis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023.
Seidel, I. 2008. Back to Nature guide to L-catfishes, Ettlingen, Germany 208 p.