Ancistrus dolichopterus
Kner, 1854
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ur catfish of the month, this month
(Aug. 2007), has had a checkered history down the years as this
beautiful Ancistrus species has been misidentified on numerous
occasions as "body brown to green brown, upper parts darker,
lower side lighter". The body is also noted to have dark spots.
As you can see from the lower image of a sub-adult that this is
well of the mark and this description in the publication "Die
Aquarienfische in Wort und Bild" by Holly, Meinken and Rachow
may have snowballed and added to the confusion in the intervening
years that this was published (1932). The fish was known at this
time by its synonym, Xenocara dolichoptera.
Günther Sterba mentions
in his work (Sterba's freshwater fishes of the world vol:2) that
it was first imported into Germany in 1911 and also first bred
in this year by Lehmann and describes the fish as having white
spots on the body and fins with the dorsal and anal fins carrying
a brilliant white margin. No mention is made of the same trait
in the caudal fin which I find strange as the line drawing in
the same publication shows the caudal fin margin. Other earlier
literature have mentioned "Body dark blue with white dots
with the dorsal and caudal fins dark blue, with white borders".
According to Muller (1999), L 183 is the "true" Ancistrus
dolichopterus. In the original description
it states that the species has 8-9 soft rays in the dorsal fin,
as is the case in L 183. In the
aquarium trade and literature, L 183 is mistakenly referred
to as Ancistrus hoplogenys. Even the first
and third Baench Atlas's have A.dolichopterus as A.hoplogenys
and vice versa on page 486/487(1) and 364/365(3)
On an adult speciman shown below the colours are not quite as
vivid, but you can still see the white margins to the dorsal and
caudal fins.
As there is a few Ancistrus species
with white spots on a dark background you can be sure of this
species by making sure that the dorsal count is 1/9 as most
other Ancistrus species have 8 soft rays in the dorsal
fin.
The lower lobe of the caudal fin is longer than the top, thus
the meaning of the species name; long,
or lengthy fins.
Keeping Ancistrus dolichopterus in the aquarium
is not problematic as long as you keep the oxygen levels up
as they will be the first fish to feel the effects of reduced
oxygen in the aquarium. They will start by moving up the tank
walls until their snout is nearly out of the water, this is
even more of a problem with young fry. This is a danger sign
and a large water change must be made, filters cleaned out and
water flow back up again. Two internal power filters at each
end of the tank or a combination of one internal and one external
filter is needed in a larger tank. Bogwood is the preferred
option as decor as they will graze on it and is a necessary
part of their diet. Small rounded gravel or sand for the substrate
and pipes or slate caves for spawning are a good addition. Plants
such as Anubias and Java Fern can be used in a low light situation
as bright tank lights will keep your Ancistrus hidden
from view.
D 1/9; A 1/4; V 1/5; 32-24 bony scutes in
a lateral series. 6-9 hooked spines on the movable interopercular.
Colour dark brown to grey or green-brown
to some extent with dark blotches. Healthy fishes are very dark
with a blue-black sheen. Underside somewhat paler. Fins blue-black,
the dorsal and anal with dirty white spots and a pale margin, (this
also applies to the caudal fin: A.J.). In young fishes (see first
image) the blue tint is usually more intense and is also enlivened
with numerous white spots on the body and fins. The dorsal and anal
fins also have a brilliant white margin (as does the caudal: A.J.)
No problem with other fishes in
the aquarium.
As per genus with eggs laid in tubes,
in caves or under bogwood. The male will fan the eggs and will
hatch after about 5 days. The fry will use up their yolk sac after
about 7 days and then will have to be fed soft vegetables such
as blanched lettuce
| Sexual
differences |
As with other members
of this genus the male sports bristles to the head area, the
male having the larger and more impressive tentacles and the
female may have short bristles.
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| Feeding |
Mainly vegetarian with a liking for algae
but as this will be in short supply in a tank set-up can be fed
on soft veg such as cucumber, courgette (zucchini), raw potato plus
loricaria tablets. Will also eat worm food but its main diet would
have to be vegetarian.
| Glossary
of Terms |
Synonym:
Different name for the same fish.
Interopercular: Between the preoperculum
and the operculum, sometimes very small, and in some Loricariidae
bearing spines.
|
| References |
Holly, M; Meinken,
H; Rachow, A;
Die Aquarienfische in wort und bild: 1932
Sterba, Günther; Sterba's Freshwater
Fishes of the Word, Vol:2. TFH 1973.
All L-Numbers Datz Special. www.datze.de
Jinkings, Kathy. Bristlenoses, Catfish with
Character.
|
| Etymology |
Ancistrus:
With barbed hooks,
( hooked spines)
dolichopterus: Long, or lengthy
fins.
|
Top picture: Hayley
Ahern
Bottom Picture:  |
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|
| Synonyms:
|
| Hypostoma punctatum,
Xenocara dolichoptera. |
| Common
Name: |
| L183,
Starlight Bristlenose Catfish |
| Family: |
| Loricariidae |
| Subfamily: |
Ancistrinae |
| Distribution: |
 Brazil:
Amazonas, Rio Negro (lower and middle course) |
| Size: |
| 14.0cm. (5½ins) |
| Temp: |
| 23-27°c (73-81°f.) |
| pH.: |
| 6.0 -7.5. |
| Hardness: |
| 0-15ºdGH. |
| Donation: |
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