All FishesLoricariidaeHypostominaePseudacanthicus  |  | 

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Scientific Name Pseudacanthicus sp. (L097)  , 1992
Common Names L097, Polka Dot Cactus Pleco
Polkaplettet Kaktussugemalle (Denmark)
Pronunciation SUE dah KAN thi cuss
Etymology Pseud- Greek: False, Acanthicus - Greek: Spiny, Thorny. Literally "False Acanthicus" referring to this genus being similar to, yet different from, Acanthicus
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 180mm or 7.1" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification The German common name for this genus is ''Cactus Pleco''. A good name! Pseudacanthicus is a member of the Acanthicus clade. Species of the Acanthicus clade are distinguished from other Loricariidae species by the presence of (1) longitudinal rows of keels (pointed odontodes) along the body sides; (2) eight or more dorsal-fin rays (vs. six or seven in most other loricariids except Pterygoplichthys, Chaetostoma, Pogonopoma and Pseudancistrus pectegenitor); (3) seven to eight infraorbitals (vs. usually five or six); (4) five anal-fin branched rays (vs. usually four); and (5) presence of hypertrophied odontodes along the snout margin (vs. hypertrophied odontodes absent in other loricariids except Isbrueckerichthys and Pareiorhaphis, in Neoplecostominae; Panaque and Pseudancistrus and Neblinichthys, in Ancistrini; and most dimorphic males of Loricariinae). Within the Acanthicus group, Pseudacanthicus is distinguished by the presence of two small plates in the posterior area of the compound pterotic (vs. one median plate or plate absent), and by the presence of narrow premaxillae with a small number of elongate and curved teeth (except from Leporacanthicus).

Clearly a species of Pseudacanthicus, this species is black with irregularly spaced and sized cream coloured spot markings.
Sexing Mature males have slightly more odontodal growth on most fins rays but the pectorals are most adorned. Females fill out quite considerably in relation to the slender males.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Santarém at the Rio Tapajós, Pará, Brazil.
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Tapajós (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Carnivore although not a predator, prawns and chopped mussel appear favorites and promote favorable growth. High quality pellet foods are well received and greatly reduces the volume of waste produced. Some vegetable should also be provided and thus balances diet. User data.
Furniture A shy fish, especially when young when it is very nocturnal.
Compatibility Generally peaceful when adequate cover and hiding places are provided. They become territorial when there is not enough cover of food available.
Suggested Tankmates The temptation with large tough Loricariids is to keep them with other large tough fish such as Oscars or other brutish characters. This actually works quite well with most omnivorous or mainly vegetarian plecos. Pseudacanthicus despite their defensive protection can be bullied by faster moving fish of similar size. They are carnivores and only eat vegetables when their preferred food is unavailable. The amount of waste produced depends on their diet but is considerably less than a Panaque or Pterygoplichthys of similar size.
Breeding Has been bred in the aquarium. Is a cave spawner.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Aqualog shows a rough sketch of a fish with blue spots.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There are 4 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2022 Jan 14 12:35 (species record created: 2001 May 05 00:00)