AquaticRepublic.com - Ancistrus cryptophthalmus (Loricariidae) All Fishes

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Lateral view
Dorsal view of head
Dorsal view
Lateral view

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Ancistrus cryptophthalmus** Reis, 1987
Common Name	Bristlenose Catfish
Type Locality	Caverna Passa Três, about 300 meters into the cave, 13°20' to 13°52'S, 46°16' to 46°30'W, Rio São Vicente system, São Domingos, Goiás State, Brazil.
Pronunciation	an SISS truss - krip toff thal muss
Etymology	The name Ancistrus is derived from the Greek word agkistron, meaning hook, in reference to the interopercular odontodes that are hooked. This specific epithet literally means hidden (kryptos=hidden) eyes(opthalmus=eyes) and refers to the cave species lack of eyes.
Species Information
Size	60mm or 2.4" 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. A blind species; living all its life in the darkness of the cave, it has lost the need for eyes and does not have any. It still has a slight medium sized spotted pattern around the head.
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	The type locality was reported within a range of latitudes and longitudes. Here the ranges have been averaged as 13°36'S, 46°23'W in order to pin the type locality.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: São Vicente and Angélica-Bezerra cave system in upper Paraná River, Tocantins River drainage in Brazil. Amazon, Lower Amazon, Tocantins (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Endangered , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2018.
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	Has been bred. Tank of 100 litre, 17-25°C depending on season, with negligible daily variation, decorated with limestone. Tank was in darkness except for maintenance activities. Breeding and fry care is as for other Ancistrus species.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Revue française d'Aquariologie Herpétologie v. 14 (no. 3), pp 82, Figs. 1, 3-4.
Registered Keepers	There is no registered keeper.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There is no record of this fish being seen.
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	Look up A. cryptophthalmus on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up A. cryptophthalmus on Fishbase
	Look up A. cryptophthalmus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up A. cryptophthalmus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.4.1139
Last Update	2025 Jan 01 12:06 (species record created: 2003 Nov 09 00:00)