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Baryancistrus niveatus (Castelnau, 1855)

Image contributors to this species:

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

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

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. Etymology: The specific name niveatus: scientific Neo-Latin from niveus (L.), snowy, referring to small white spots on body. 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.

Common Name:

L026, Snowflake pleco.

Synonyms:

Hypostomus niveatus, Parancistrus niveatus

Family:

Loricariidae

Distribution:

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

Size:

30.0cm. (12ins)

Temp:

25-29°c (77-85°f.)

p.H.

6.0-7.5.

IUCN Red List

Baryancistrus niveatus is endemic to Brazil and occurs from the Tucuruí region to the Serra da Mesa region on the Tocantins River, and in the lower Araguaia River to Piçarra, in the states of Goiás, Pará, and Tocantins. The main threat to B. niveatus is the construction of hydroelectric power plants. Of the area of occupancy (AOO) calculated for the species (2,800 km² ), approximately 1,200 km² have been impacted by the Lajeado, Serra da Mesa, Cana Brava, Estreito, São Salvador, and Peixe Angical hydroelectric plants, which is equivalent to 33% habitat loss. Based on this information, B. niveatus was recategorised as Vulnerable (VU) according to criteria A2ac. However, considering that the rapids environments occupied by the species are not homogeneously distributed along the calculated AOO (Area of Occurrence), and that the population is already fragmented by the constructed hydroelectric power plants, it is likely that the threat is greater than estimated. Furthermore, the eventual resumption of hydroelectric power plant construction projects on the Tocantins River would raise the species' extinction risk to Critically Endangered (CR), (IUCN 2024).

Reference:

All L-Numbers Datz Special: Habitat, Care & Diet.
Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio). 2024. Baryancistrus niveatus. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024.
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.

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

Baryancistrus niveatus

Baryancistrus cf. niveatus

Baryancistrus niveatus

Baryancistrus niveatus
Head view

Baryancistrus niveatus
Tocantins Basin

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