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Ancistrus ranunculus Muller, Rapp Py-Daniel & Zuanon, 1994

Image contributors to this species:

Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (4) Haakon Haagensen (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

This Ancistrus species is typified by its unusually broad head flattened body and its black body colour. The males head bristles are very thick and not branched at the end, unlike most of this genera. Both sexes have fleshy 'tentacles' but the males are bushier and longer. Habitat: Inhabits clear running water, to a depth of 3 meters during dry season. Prefers narrow cracks of submerged rocks, small passages between superimposed rocks, or lives below flat rocks on the bottom. Aquarium Care: Provide caves and flat stonework where this species likes to hide under. Reproduction: Not one of the easiest Ancistrus to breed although it has been achieved by accident. Diet: Likes a meaty diet which is somewhat different from most members of the Ancistrinae. Feed frozen foods such as bloodworm and pellet, tablet and pre-soaked flake. Etymology: The specific name ranunculus: meaning "Tadpole" and referring to its unusually flat head.

Common Name:

Tadpole Bristlenose Catfish, L034, Medusa Pleco.

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Loricariidae

Distribution:

South America: Brazil, Xingu and Tocantins River basins. Type locality: Brazil, Pará, Rio Xingú, furo do Tucum Seco, near Arroz Cru.

Size:

14.0cm. (5½ins)

Temp:

26-30°c (79-87°f.)

p.H.

6.0-7.5.

IUCN Red List

Ancistrus ranunculus occurs in the Xingu, Tocantins, and Araguaia river basins. Although it is a relatively abundant and frequent species, it is associated only with rocky and rapid environments. The main threat to its subpopulations is related to the construction of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam and other dams planned for the Xingu, Tocantins (Marabá hydroelectric dam), and Araguaia (Santa Isabel hydroelectric dam) river basins. Of the locations with confirmed records, only the Iriri River, a tributary of the Xingu, does not have planned dam construction. It is inferred that approximately 26% of the species' range will be impacted by the planned dams. Furthermore, the implementation of hydroelectric dams will imply diffuse threats that could cause additional declines. Thus, a considerable loss of habitat for the species is expected, with a decrease in its range, which would lead to a population reduction of approximately 30% in 25 years (three generational periods). Thus, Ancistrus ranunculus was assessed as Near Threatened (NT), approaching the Vulnerable (VU) category under criterion A3c., (IUCN 2022).

Reference:

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio). 2022. Ancistrus ranunculus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022.
Muller, S., L.H. Rapp Py-Daniel and J. Zuanon 1994 Ancistrus ranunculus, a new species of loricariidae fish (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Xingu and Tocantins rivers, Brazil. Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwat. 5(4):289-296.
ScotCat Factsheet no. 169. July. 2010
Seidel, Ingo; Back to Nature guide to L-catfishes 208p.

Family: Loricariidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Ancistrus ranunculus

Ancistrus ranunculus
Dorsal view

Ancistrus ranunculus

Ancistrus ranunculus
Mouth view

Ancistrus ranunculus

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