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FACTSHEETS: August 2014 - no. 218

Rineloricaria lanceolata (Günther 1868)


ormerly of the Hemiloricaria genera this months factsheet (August 2014) boasts one of the prettiest members of the Hemiloricaria/Rineloricaria complex. Alongside
R. formosa these two stand out from the run of the mill brown and beige specimens that we are all accustomed to in the hobby and in our local LFS.


Rineloricaria lanceolata

Rineloricaria lanceolata

 

The name is sometomes accepted in some quarters as Hemiloricaria lanceolata. Issbrücker (Issbrücker in Issbrücker et al, 2001) declared the synonymity of Rineloricaria and Hemiloricaria as no longer valid, and the latter again as an independent genus. The differences between the two genera are based on the positions of the males bristles and the top caudal filament on adult Hemiloricaria which is absent on Rinelolricaria.

 

Rineloricaria lanceolata - head view

Rineloricaria lanceolata - head view

 

R. lancelota is cataloged as coming from the upper Amazon basin in Peru but the truth of the matter is that it is found in various guises all throughout South America and as such the colouration is highly variable.

Depending on the origin of catchment, temperature values would differ from the upper Amazon to the more southerly specimens which would require lower values. The species depicted in the images is the species from the Rio Huacamayo in Peru which in my mind is the most striking of the varieties.

 

Rineloricaria lanceolata - Male showing the mouth and bristles

Rineloricaria lanceolata - Male showing the mouth and bristles

 

 

Common Name

Chocolate coloured catfish

Synonyms

Hemiloricaria lanceolata, Loricaria lanceolata

Family

Loricariidae

Subfamily

Loracariinae

Distribution

South America: Peru, Upper Amazon River basin. Type locality: Xeberos.

Size

13.0cm. (5ins)

Temp.

22-29°c (71-85°f.) (depending on origin)

p.H.

6.0-7.2.

Characteristics

Typical species specific slim shape. Ventral area covered with scutes. Upper caudal fin ray greatly extended.

Colouration

Colour pattern highly variable. Ground colour pale tan. Dorsum of head with medium tan area from tip of snout to base of dorsal fin spine. Two thick chocolate coloured lines run on either side of this tan area running through the eyes and terminating at the base of the dorsal fin. This line resumes and is thinner and may reach the full length of the body depending on the species. There is a thick chocolate band to the front of the dorsal fin.

Aquarium Care & Compatibility

Reported as quite an easy species to keep and breed although it is prone to eating the eggs, so the eggs would need to be hatched separately.They can be bred in pipes in the aquarium with a 5-7cm diameter. Peacefull species which can be kept with most unagressive fishes in a mid to large aquarium. Best kept in pairs although two males will get along fine with each other.

Reproduction

Orange eggs are laid in pipes. The males tend the spawn over a 12 day period. Sometimes the males will eat the eggs. If successful the fry can be raised with good water hygiene and the feeding of Artemia nauplii.

Sexual Differences

The males have cheek, head and pectoral bristles. The females lack them and tend to have a more pointed head.

Diet

Omnivore. Vegetable food such as cucumber and other various foods such as tablet, flake and frozen.

Glossary of Terms

Caudal: The tail.
Dorsal: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Dorsum: The upper (dorsal) surface of the head or body.
Scutes
: Bony covering.

Etymology

Rineloricaria: Rhine = file; loricara = harness.
lancelota: Lance-like, spear-like; armed with a pointed weapon.

References

Baensch, H.A. and R. Riehl 1985 Aquarien atlas. Band 2. Mergus, Verlag für Natur- und Heimtierkunde GmbH, Melle, Germany. 1216 p.
Catfish Study Group (U.K.) Information sheet no.10. 2000.
Evers, H.-G. & I.Seidel: Mergus, Baensch Catfish Atlas Volume 1, 1st English edn., 2005. Pp.944.
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.

Photo Credits

Top and middle images: © Jim Makin
Bottom image: © Karsten Schönherr

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