All FishesLoricariidaeHypostominaeAncistrus  |  | 

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Scientific Name Ancistrus cirrhosus  (Valenciennes, 1836)
Common Names Bristlenose Catfish
Skægget Sugemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality No locality.
Synonym(s) Hypostomus cirrhosus, Typupiscis lujanensis
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. This specific epithet literally means hairy (cirrus=hair) and refers to its tentacles.
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 89mm or 3.5" 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 South America: Paraná River basin.
La Plata, Paraná (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 2020.
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 All Ancistrus species are cave-breeders, where the male looks after the eggs and young fry.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Voyage dans l'Amérique méridionale, pp Pl. 7 (fig. 3).
Registered Keepers There is but a single registered keeper, view all "my fish" data.
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There are 2 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2022 Apr 20 11:24 (species record created: 2008 Feb 03 09:10)