AquaticRepublic.com - Ancistrus macrophthalmus (Loricariidae) All Fishes

All Fishes ⇒ Loricariidae ⇒ Hypostominae ⇒ Ancistrus | |

Lateral view
Dorsal view of head
Live coloration, side view

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Ancistrus macrophthalmus** (Pellegrin, 1912)
Common Names	LDA074, Large Eyed Bristlenose Storøjet Sugemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Río Orinoco, Venezuela.
Synonym(s)	Xenocara macrophthalma
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 refers to its big(makros=big, large) eyes(opthalmus=eyes).
Species Information
Size	79mm or 3.1" 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. When first described, Pellegrin remarked that compared to other Ancistrus (known at the time), this species has relatively larger eyes, a wider head, fewer interopercular odontodes, and a flatter body profile. Body color is overall brown above, white below.
Sexing	Both sexes posses soft tentacles at adulthood. In the male they are typically thicker and often branched.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Orinoco River and lower parts of some of its tributaries in Venezuela. Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
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.
Further Information
Reference	Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France v. 37 (no. 8), pp 271, Fig. 1.
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 are 2 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode

	Look up A. macrophthalmus on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up A. macrophthalmus on Fishbase
	Look up A. macrophthalmus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up A. macrophthalmus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.4.2015
Last Update	2025 Jan 01 12:06 (species record created: 2008 May 31 04:24)