All FishesLoricariidaeHypostominaeAncistrus  |  | 

Hop to next section All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name Ancistrus claro  Knaack, 1999
Common Names LDA008, Gold Marble Bristlenose Catfish
(), Claro-Ancistrus (Germany), Dværg-antennesugemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality Rio Claro, above the bridge, in the direction of Chappada dos Guimaraes, Mato Grosso State, Brazil.
Pronunciation an SISS truss - cla row
Etymology The name Ancistrus is derived from the Greek word agkistron, meaning hook, in reference to the interopercular odontodes that are hooked. Named after the Rio Claro, where it was collected.
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 66mm or 2.6" 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.

The base colouration is brown with a whitish abdomen region. The markings are beige to yellowish white, and are a completely irregular reticulated pattern. Snout tentacles of males have a pattern of light-coloured spots. The dorsal and caudal fins have irregular bands. Overall, this species is rather easy to ID because of its small adult size and quite unusual pattern. Still, it can be confused with young specimens of common Ancistrus unless the mouth shape is examined as it is different, in A. claro it is more oval shape than rounded
Sexing Males have branched tentacles on the snout, females can occasionally have 2-3 very little tentacles, but most don't have any. Mature females have a darker base colouration. The vermiform lines are found predominantly on males.

Both sexes grow to about the same size.
General Remarks Mainly active during the day (at least in its natural habitat).
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Cuiabá River basin in upper Paraguay River drainage, Brazil.
La Plata, Paraná, Paraguay, Upper Paraguay, Cuiabá, Coxipo (click on these areas to find other species found there)
La Plata, Paraná, Paraguay, Upper Paraguay, Cuiabá, Claro (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2018.
pH 6.2 - 7.6
Temperature 24.0-28.0°C or 75.2-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Conductivity range at type locality: 3-10 microsiemens
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Not a picky eater, will eat about anything, from vegetables to bloodworms. A vegetable diet is preferable and animal proteins can be given once or twice a week but should not make up the main diet. User data.
Furniture Its natural habitat consists of fast flowing waters over a rocky bottom. Likes also to stay in quiet zones of these same river rapids. Safe will robust plants.
Compatibility It is not a territorial fish. Can be housed with several of its own kind or other loricariids without a problem.
Suggested Tankmates Riverine species are ideal as they will share enjoyment in a current.
Breeding Typical Ancistrus manner. Males stay in caves and guard the brood. Females lay about 20 to 35 eggs.

Eggs hatch after 5-7 days. After about 2 weeks the yolk sac is totally absorbed and the young start to eat. Fry are raised like other members of the genus.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Tropical Fish Hobbyist v. 47 (no. 10), pp 71, Figs. 1-3 + unnumbered.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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Last Update 2022 Feb 03 10:14 (species record created: 2001 Apr 21 00:00)