All FishesLoricariidaeHypostominaeAncistrus  |  | 

Hop to next section All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name Ancistrus temminckii  (Valenciennes, 1840)
Common Names Bristlenose Catfish
Børstenæset Sugemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality Suriname.
Synonym(s) Hypostomus temminckii, Plecostomus aculeatus
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. Named to honour Mr. C.J. Temminck.
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 98mm or 3.9" 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.

What is identified as A. temminckii in the aquarium trade and some hobby literature nowadays is possibly A cf. cirrhosus but the true origins of that fish is unclear. The real A. temminckii may have shown up in the trade in the past, but is almost never imported nowadays. A. temminckii can be distinguished from A. cf cirrhosus by the absence vs. presence of a dark spot at the dorsal fin base, between the first and second ray.
Sexing Typical for the genus with males possessing the so-called ''bushy nose''. Females also may have much smaller growths on the head but to a much lesser extent.
General Remarks There are no known type specimens for this fish.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Saramacca, Suriname, and Maroni River basins.
Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Suriname Coastal Rivers, Marowijne (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Suriname Coastal Rivers, Saramacca (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Suriname Coastal Rivers, Suriname (click on these areas to find other species found there)

Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category Not Evaluated
Temperature 21.0-24.0°C or 69.8-75.2°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters dH°25
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 Histoire naturelle des poissons v. 15, pp 514.
Registered Keepers There is but a single registered keeper, view all "my fish" data.
Wishlists Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list.
There is but a single wish to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There are 2 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode
Look up PlanetCatfish.com Look up A. temminckii on PlanetCatfish.com
Look up on Fishbase Look up A. temminckii on Fishbase
Look up on Encyclopedia of Life Look up A. temminckii on Encyclopedia of Life
Look up on Global Biodiversity Information Facility Look up A. temminckii on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Ancistrus temminckii QR code LFS label creator
Last Update 2019 Oct 03 06:37 (species record created: 2006 Nov 11 06:09)