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Ancistrus temminckii, (Valenciennes), 1840

Origin: French Guyana, Surinam, and Northern Brazil.

Etymology: Named after Temminck.

Synonyms: Loricaria plecostomoides, Hypostomus temminckii, Plecostomus aculeatus, Hypostomus schneideri.

First European import:Unknown.

Description: See picture, altough the fish in the picture is not 100% Ancistrus temminckii!

Care: Like all bristle nose Catfish, these fish are easy to keep, peacefull, and eat algae. They are quite hardy, and are suitable for the community tank. Combined with the strange bristles and the fact that they don't grow very large, they make a nice addition to any community tank. They are best kept in slighly acidic or neutral water, which can be fairly hard, although moderately hard water is better. Some holes should be available to Ancistrus temminckii, as well as some current.

Temperature: 21-25 degrees.

Feeding: Algae! As an addition the fish can be fed peas, cucumber and other vegetables. Frozen food is also accepted.

Size: Up to 12 cm

pH: 6.0-7.5

Breeding: Easy. Usually a pair will spawn in a community tank, in a hole or under a piece of driftwood. The male will guard the eggs until they hatch, which takes between 10 and 12 days. After the fry hatch, they should be removed from the community tank, and transferred to a separete tank. The fry are easy to raise with small live food and vegetable matter. Frequent waterchanges are required during the first few weeks.

Sexual dimorphism: Bristles on the male are much more developed.

Prices:3-5€

Additional:

Picture references: Picture: E. Naus

References:Baensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1985): Aquarien Atlas II. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany.