Classification:
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Distribution:
Native to tributaries of the lower Amazon near its mouth in Pará state, northern Brazil.
Maximum Standard Length:
90 – 100mm.
Aquarium Size:
An aquarium with base dimensions of 120 x 30 cm or equivalent should be the smallest considered. It is advised to find a filter which has a water flow between 4-5 times the volume of your aquarium. At a volume of 108 litres, the filter we recommend can be found here.
Maintenance:
Not difficult to maintain under the correct conditions; we strongly recommend keeping it in a tank designed to simulate a flowing stream with a substrate of variably-sized rocks, sand, fine gravel, and some water-worn boulders. This can be further furnished with driftwood branches, terracotta pipes, plant pots, etc., arranged to form a network of nooks, crannies, and shaded spots, thus providing broken lines of sight. Like many fishes that naturally inhabit running water it’s intolerant to accumulation of organic pollutants and requires spotless water in order to thrive, therefore weekly water changes of 30-50% tank volume should be considered routine. Though torrent-like conditions are unnecessary it does best if there is a high proportion of dissolved oxygen and some water movement in the tank meaning power filter(s), additional powerhead(s), or airstone(s) should be employed as necessary.
Water Conditions:
Temperature: 26 – 30°C
pH: 5.5 – 7.5
Hardness: 18 – 357ppm
Diet:
Wild specimens are likely omnivorous but with a preference for aquatic invertebrates and suchlike. In the aquarium it does best when offered a varied diet comprising sinking dried foods, frozen Daphnia, mosquito larvae, chironomid larvae (bloodworm), and prawn/shrimp, for, example, while juveniles will also accept some fresh fruit, parboiled potato, etc. Home-made foods using a mixture of natural ingredients bound with gelatin are very useful since they can be tailored to contain fresh vegetables, Spirulina or similar plus meatier ingredients.
Behaviour and Compatibility:
A peaceful species which can be maintained in a well-chosen community but is territorial towards conspecifics and other similarly-shaped fishes. It should not be maintained alongside other Hypancistrus spp. in order to prevent hybridisation.
Sexual Dimorphism:
Adult males possess a broader head plus more extensive odontodes on the leading pectoral-fin rays and interopercular region than females. Males are also more slender than females, a difference which is easily observed when the fish are viewed from above.
Reproduction:
Cave-spawner with the male responsible for brood care and has been bred in aquaria on numerous occasions.
