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Acanthicus adonis, Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1988
Adonis Pleco, Polka Dot Lyre Tail Pleco

Origin:Brazil, Amazonas Basin, Lower Tocantins River.

Etymology: Unk

Synonyms: None

Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) Order: Siluriformes Family: Loricariidae (Armored catfishes), subfamily: Ancistrinae

Description: See picture

Care: These fish prefer neutral to slightly acidic water. Large aquaria are necessary, even for juveniles. Acanthicus adonis should be kept separate, since it can be highly aggressive towards its own kind. Shy fish when not used to the aquarium, provide proper sized holes! The fish doesn't eat the plants, but if plants are in it's way, it will unroot them. The fish require well filtered water with frequent waterchanges, and the temperature should be in the higher regions. The fish are bottom dwellers, and mostly active in the evening and during the night.

Temperature: 23 - 27°C

Feeding: Herbivorous, Algae wafers, Salad, Peas, and cucumber is nibbled on.

Size: Up to 100 cm

pH: 6.0-7.0 dH: 5.0 - 16.0

Breeding: Acanthicus adonis can be bred at 8 years or older. No detailed reports are availablem but the eggs are supposedly as large as pingpongballs!

Sexual dimorphism:Unknown, the shape of the ovipositor could indicate male or female.

Prices: 15-40€

Additional: Although very beautiful, it is not a fish to keep in normal aquaria.

Picture references:Picture 1: E. Naus

References:
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?&genusname=acanthicus&speciesname=adonis
http://www.planetcatfish.com/ilibrary/loricari/acanthic/277_f.htm
http://www.welse.net/seiten/elfen.htm