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Scientific Name Hypancistrus vandragti  (Lujan & Armbruster, 2011)
Common Names L280, Dwarf Spiny Pleco
Dværg Pigsugemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality Orinoco River at Cupaven Island, near the mouth of the Atabapo River, ca. 4°04'N, 66°42'W, Amazonas State, Venezuela.
Synonym(s) Micracanthicus vandragti
Pronunciation hype an siss truss
Etymology A contraction of the Greek hypo (meaning less than) and ancistrus, an allusion to the reduced number of teeth (particularly in the lower jaw) found in this genus. The species epithet vandragti is a patronym honoring Randy Van Dragt, Professor of Biology at Calvin College since 1981, whose patient introductions to tropical ecology and fish ecomorphology benefitted the first author immeasurably.
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 42mm or 1.7" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Sexing Mature males have thicker first pectoral ray, more pronounced odontodes on the first pectoral fin ray and odontodes on the rear of the body, and typically a wider head. Mature females are wider around the middle of the body, and much less noticeable body and fin odontodes.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Known only from the lower Ventuari River and the Orinoco River near its confluence with the Ventuari.
Orinoco, Upper Orinoco, Ventuari (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Vulnerable, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2019.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Unlike the popular opinion of many other loricariids, Hypancistrus are more carnivores than algae eaters. This is backed up by a small and lightly toothed mouth that indicates they are poor algae scrapers. Provide small and frequent supply of mainly meaty foods such as dry discus food, bloodworm and even brineshrimp with the infrequent offering of flake or algae tablets. User data.
Furniture Sand, primarily rocks and optionally driftwood. Caves made out of slate plates, bamboo or PVC pipe.
Compatibility Suitable with most fish, as long as they are not too large or territorial about bottom-space.
Suggested Tankmates Small tetras and other similar small fish. Also Corydoras. Care has to be taken to ensure that they get enough food, as they can be a bit shy and slow to grab food when available.
Breeding All Hypancistrus are closed cave spawners. Males trap females in the cave, eggs are laid and fertilised after which the male guards them until the fry are free swimming.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Copeia 2011 (no. 2), pp 217, Figs. 1-3.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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Last Update 2022 Jan 19 12:13 (species record created: 2011 Jul 01 13:00)