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Allan James (1) Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (4) Mark Henry Sabaj (1)

Was given the L-number of L026 in 1989 in the DATZ magazine alongside a number of similar looking forms until realising that it was B. niveatus. This species was described in 1855 by Castelnau. Description: The Baryancistrus genus are large and high backed. They have a large suckermouth with a high number of slender and long stemmed teeth. A small membrane lies behind the last ray of the dorsal fin which joins the anal fin. Habitat: Found in shallow fast flowing areas of water with a stony substrate. Aquarium Care: Can be problematic, especially with inexperienced aquarists, not a beginners fish. As of most of this genera the adults can be extremely territorial, especially with their own kind and other species of Baryancistrus. Prefers higher temperatures. Sexual Differences: Mature males have a broader and longer head and longer pectoral fin spines. Diet: Vegetarian diet such as cucumber and courgette will suffice with other foods offered such as frozen bloodworm, insect larvae and prawns/shrimp foods. Remarks: There appears to be three to four similar looking species of this genus in the Rio Tocantins but B. niveatus has a dark brown body with a dense pattern of whitish spots.

L026, Snowflake pleco.

Hypostomus niveatus, Parancistrus niveatus

Loricariidae

South America: Tocantins, Xingu, Tapajós and Trombetas River basins. Type locality: du Rio Araguay, de la province de Goyaz, Brazil.

30.0cm. (12ins)

25-29°c (77-85°f.)

6.0-7.5.

All L-Numbers Datz Special: Habitat, Care & Diet.
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Seidel, I. 2008. Back to Nature guide to L-catfishes, Ettlingen, Germany 208 p.