All FishesLoricariidaeHypostominaeAncistrus  |  | 

Hop to next section All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name Ancistrus spinosus  Meek & Hildebrand, 1916
Common Name
Type Locality Río Calobre, tributary of Río Bayano, Panama
Pronunciation an SISS truss
Etymology The name Ancistrus is derived from the Greek word agkistron, meaning hook, in reference to the interopercular odontodes that are hooked. 
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 176mm or 6.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Mature males and sometimes females have soft tentacles (bushy fleshy growths) on the snout - this is unique to the genus Ancistrus.
Sexing Males develop soft tentacles on the head and while sometimes females also do, it is never to the grand extent of those found on that of the conspecific male.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Central America: Pacific and Caribbean river drainage of eastern Panama.
Panama Pacific Rivers (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Panama Caribbean Rivers (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Ancistrus should be fed mainly on vegetarian foods. Prepared foods include algae wafers and spirulina based sinking food. Vegetables such as courgette/zucchini, and (English) cucumber are an excellent addition to the diet, along with the odd, small amount of more meaty foods. User data.
Compatibility A good complement to most aquariums, they are not aggressive to other species. Males may fight over territory if kept in too small a tank.
Suggested Tankmates Appropriate with most community fish that aren't overly big or aggressive.
Breeding Unreported.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Field Museum of Natural History, Publications, Zoölogical Series v. 10 (no. 15), pp 252.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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Last Update 2019 Oct 09 05:38 (species record created: 2008 May 31 04:24)