Ancistrus sp "Rio Ucayali"

[Doodles]

Name: Ancistrus sp "Rio Ucayali"

Common Names: Orange spot bristlenose

Location: Rio Ucayali, Para, Brazil

Photos:


Appearance: Gold/orange spotted, youngsters are particularly attractive

Compatibility: A fairly peaceful pleco but will become territorial with other ancistrus if restricted in space or hiding spots.

Sexing and Breeding: Same as other Ancistrus, both males and females can develop bristles round the lip but only males develop bristles up the snout. Males also develop forked bristles but this can sometimes be true for females. Adult females are wider when viewed from above. Relatively easy to breed, should also breed in harder water. Provide a suitable cave. Anywhere between 70-120 eggs should be laid with the fry hatching after around 4 days.

Diet: An omnivore which should be more towards a veggie based diet with occasional meaty foods. It is also thought that wood should be supplied for Ancistrus species as they may eat lignin which is found in bogwood, this is presumed due to the fact that they have very long guts similar to panaques. They also extract Aufwuchs from the organic layer that develops on the wood over time. Extra protein should be fed when being bred to help condition them.

Water parameters: Temp 25-29c PH 6.0-8.0
Wood and hidings spots should be provided, caves if breeding

Max Size: 12 cms


Bred by: Gem400

Additional Comments: Breeding Log below, see log on forum for comments http://www.plecoplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16049

 

[Gem400]

After searching for 2 years for a male to join my lady my 'Rio Ucayai' they spawned within 2 days of putting them together

The male is approx 5" TL and the female approx 4.5" TL and have quite dull markings compared to juvenile 'Rio Ucayalis'

The tank is 30" x 12" x 15", ph 7.2, temp 27C, has lots of caves, bogwood and has a large spongefilter and a sponge filter driven by a powerhead creating good flow.

Male

Female

The fish were not shy and spawned with the lights on with lots of tail slapping and shoving going on,the female was pressing down on the males bristles quite firmly with her tail, this happened for a few hours.

The tank was checked after lights out and unfortunately the male had kicked the eggs out so they were placed in a fry saver with an airstone and started hatching 4 days later.

3 day old fry

4 day old fry

10 day old

Approx 3 month old

Once the fry had used their eggs sacs they were fed on courgette, new potato, powdered fry food, new era pleco pellets and frozen baby brine shrimp.

The fry grew quickly and were a good 4cm at 3 months old.

Breeding tank

Cheers
Gem