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Nathan Lujan (3)

Aquarium Care: The Ancistrus genera make good community fish where they do not grow too big for the aquarium. Some species have different requirements in the aquarium so best to read up on the species you have whereas if they need higher oxygen requirements or not, or if they prefer cooler waters if they originate from the southern parts of South America against the species from further up north. Diet: Vegetable foods such as cucumber and courgette and also tablet and meaty foods. Reproduction: The female lays her eggs in caves or crevices... that the male has chosen and cleaned.... as a cluster. The male usually then guards the eggs after ejecting the female. The fry then cling to the sides of the cave and when they use up their yolk sac, which is around the four to seven day period, they will be ready to feed on infusuria, vegetable matter, brine shrimp naupli or micro worms. In a community tank a few will survive if enough hiding places are afforded to them. Etymology: The specific name alga: etymology not explained, possibly referring to algae, a food item in its largely herbivorous diet. Remarks: Listed as a synonym of Ancistrus hoplogenys in Fishbase and some other online sources but the current status is valid in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes.

None

Ancistrus tectirostris, Chaetostomus alga, Chaetostomus tectirostris

Loricariidae

South America: Lower Napo River basin, upper Amazon basin (Ecuador and Peru). Type Locality: Río Ambyiacu, Peru.

20-25°c (67-77°f.)

6.0-7.5.