It goes nevertheless – Pseudolithoxus dumus (L 244)
Picture 1: Pseudolithoxus dumus (L 244)
Much time passed, until the breeding success one of the species in genus Pseudolithoxus. On the end of 2011 I was able to discover fry after futile effort.
Pseudolithoxus are easily distinguish from other plecos by their extremely long pectorals. On the basis of this feature they are also called flyer plecos.
The genus Pseudolithoxus was created by Isbrücker and Werner in 2001. The following four species, which previously Armbruster had described as Lasiancistrus in 2000, were transfered to the new genus:
• Pseudolithoxus anthrax (L 235)
• Pseudolithoxus dumus (L 244)
• Pseudolithoxus nicoi
• Pseudolithoxus tigris (L 259)
Picture 2: Pseudolithoxus anthrax (L 235), P. nicoi, P. dumus (L 244), P. tigris (L 259)
As the type species of the genus was determined Pseudolithoxus anthrax. Later, also another species was described in genus Pseudolithoxus:
• Pseudolithoxus kelsorum (L 189)
In addition, three undescribed species are known:
• Pseudolithoxus sp. „L 328“
• Pseudolithoxus sp. „L 385“ and
• Pseudolithoxus sp. „Rio Guapore“
Especially Pseudolithoxus anthrax, Pseudolithoxus dumus and Pseudolithoxus tigris are well known in the aquarium hobby, because these species are regularly imported from Venezuela. Pseudolithoxus kelsorum are rare in trade. Also the first import of Pseudolithoxus nicoi to Germany was few months ago.
Pseudolithoxus anthrax, P. and P. tigris dumus we find mainly in the upper Orinoco basin, especially in the Rio Ventuari. There is mostly clear water and mixed water. Pseudolithoxus nicoi comes from the vicinity of the Rio Casiquare and the Rio Atabapo. There is black water.
Picture 3: Rio Orinoco near Santa Barbara
The following water values we know from the upper Rio Orinoco and Rio Ventuari
-----------------------------------------------------------------
| Temperature of water .... 26 – 34 °C
| pH .............................. ~ 6 – 7
| Conductivity ................. ~ 20 µS/cm
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Table 1: Water values from upper Rio Orinoco / Rio Ventuari
About 4 years ago I could buy a group (6 plecos, most likely 3/3) Pseudolithoxus dumus in Welsladen Chemnitz.
We get only this plecos into an aquarium with size100 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm (160 L). This aquarium has an external filter JBL Eco and an inner filter Eheim 2212. We heat the aquarium with a 100 watt heating element. The tank has no plants. Therefore it is possible to dispense the illumination. The day-night cycle is ensured by the incident daylight. I used for set up catfish caves and slates, and fine, blunt gravel. I soon noticed that the Pseudolithoxus are very similar to the behaviour of Zonancistrus brachyurus (L 168), but these Pseudolithoxus live much withdrawn.
Slate columns instead of catfish caves!
Our Zonancistrus brachyurus avoid common pleco caves and prefer slate columns. Also the breeding male chose such a "column".
Abbildung 4: Zonancistrus brachyurus when brood care
It seemed useful to replace common pleco caves with such slate columns.
Picture 5: "Slate columns"
Also, I've noticed that the Pseudolithoxus tried to dig holes in the gravel.
Thus, the plan for the redesign of the Pseudolithoxus-empire was decided: sand instead of gravel and shale columns instead of common pleco caves.
Picture 6: Aquarium after redesign
During the following years I tried the animals in particular to stimulate by changing the water values. During this time, the water levels moving in the aquarium in the following areas (temporary values in brackets):
-----------------------------------------------------------------
| Temperature of water .... 27 – 32 °C
| pH ............................. (4,3 - ) 5 ( - 7,0)
| GH ............................. < 1 (- 7,0) °dH
| KH ............................. < 1 (- 4,0) °dH
| Nitrite ........................ < 0,025 mg/l
| Nitrate ....................... < 10 mg/l
| Conductivity ............... (50 -) 100 (- 300) µS/cm
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2: Variation of water levels in the aquarium
For the water change, I used mostly full-desalinate water or rain water that was supplemented with tap water to achieve the desired water parameters. In most cases I make water change after one or two weeks. Occasionally I waited also a little longer for purpose of stimulation.
Picture 7: Mouth of Pseudolithoxus dumus
A look into the mouth of Pseudolithoxus dumus reveals that it is omnivorous, taking mainly herbivore diets, however, is not averse carnivore feed. We feed mainly DuplaRin G. For variety we serve as well as other pleco-chips from JBL and Tetra. Frozen food was barely, vegetables are not accepted.
To be continued
Picture 1: Pseudolithoxus dumus (L 244)
Much time passed, until the breeding success one of the species in genus Pseudolithoxus. On the end of 2011 I was able to discover fry after futile effort.
Pseudolithoxus are easily distinguish from other plecos by their extremely long pectorals. On the basis of this feature they are also called flyer plecos.
The genus Pseudolithoxus was created by Isbrücker and Werner in 2001. The following four species, which previously Armbruster had described as Lasiancistrus in 2000, were transfered to the new genus:
• Pseudolithoxus anthrax (L 235)
• Pseudolithoxus dumus (L 244)
• Pseudolithoxus nicoi
• Pseudolithoxus tigris (L 259)
Picture 2: Pseudolithoxus anthrax (L 235), P. nicoi, P. dumus (L 244), P. tigris (L 259)
As the type species of the genus was determined Pseudolithoxus anthrax. Later, also another species was described in genus Pseudolithoxus:
• Pseudolithoxus kelsorum (L 189)
In addition, three undescribed species are known:
• Pseudolithoxus sp. „L 328“
• Pseudolithoxus sp. „L 385“ and
• Pseudolithoxus sp. „Rio Guapore“
Especially Pseudolithoxus anthrax, Pseudolithoxus dumus and Pseudolithoxus tigris are well known in the aquarium hobby, because these species are regularly imported from Venezuela. Pseudolithoxus kelsorum are rare in trade. Also the first import of Pseudolithoxus nicoi to Germany was few months ago.
Pseudolithoxus anthrax, P. and P. tigris dumus we find mainly in the upper Orinoco basin, especially in the Rio Ventuari. There is mostly clear water and mixed water. Pseudolithoxus nicoi comes from the vicinity of the Rio Casiquare and the Rio Atabapo. There is black water.
Picture 3: Rio Orinoco near Santa Barbara
The following water values we know from the upper Rio Orinoco and Rio Ventuari
-----------------------------------------------------------------
| Temperature of water .... 26 – 34 °C
| pH .............................. ~ 6 – 7
| Conductivity ................. ~ 20 µS/cm
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Table 1: Water values from upper Rio Orinoco / Rio Ventuari
About 4 years ago I could buy a group (6 plecos, most likely 3/3) Pseudolithoxus dumus in Welsladen Chemnitz.
We get only this plecos into an aquarium with size100 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm (160 L). This aquarium has an external filter JBL Eco and an inner filter Eheim 2212. We heat the aquarium with a 100 watt heating element. The tank has no plants. Therefore it is possible to dispense the illumination. The day-night cycle is ensured by the incident daylight. I used for set up catfish caves and slates, and fine, blunt gravel. I soon noticed that the Pseudolithoxus are very similar to the behaviour of Zonancistrus brachyurus (L 168), but these Pseudolithoxus live much withdrawn.
Slate columns instead of catfish caves!
Our Zonancistrus brachyurus avoid common pleco caves and prefer slate columns. Also the breeding male chose such a "column".
Abbildung 4: Zonancistrus brachyurus when brood care
It seemed useful to replace common pleco caves with such slate columns.
Picture 5: "Slate columns"
Also, I've noticed that the Pseudolithoxus tried to dig holes in the gravel.
Thus, the plan for the redesign of the Pseudolithoxus-empire was decided: sand instead of gravel and shale columns instead of common pleco caves.
Picture 6: Aquarium after redesign
During the following years I tried the animals in particular to stimulate by changing the water values. During this time, the water levels moving in the aquarium in the following areas (temporary values in brackets):
-----------------------------------------------------------------
| Temperature of water .... 27 – 32 °C
| pH ............................. (4,3 - ) 5 ( - 7,0)
| GH ............................. < 1 (- 7,0) °dH
| KH ............................. < 1 (- 4,0) °dH
| Nitrite ........................ < 0,025 mg/l
| Nitrate ....................... < 10 mg/l
| Conductivity ............... (50 -) 100 (- 300) µS/cm
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2: Variation of water levels in the aquarium
For the water change, I used mostly full-desalinate water or rain water that was supplemented with tap water to achieve the desired water parameters. In most cases I make water change after one or two weeks. Occasionally I waited also a little longer for purpose of stimulation.
Picture 7: Mouth of Pseudolithoxus dumus
A look into the mouth of Pseudolithoxus dumus reveals that it is omnivorous, taking mainly herbivore diets, however, is not averse carnivore feed. We feed mainly DuplaRin G. For variety we serve as well as other pleco-chips from JBL and Tetra. Frozen food was barely, vegetables are not accepted.
To be continued
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