AquaticRepublic.com - Ancistrus triradiatus (Loricariidae) All Fishes

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Close-up of head
Clutch of eggs

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Ancistrus triradiatus** Eigenmann, 1918
Common Name	Bristlenose Catfish
Type Locality	Quebrada Cramalote [Gramalote], Barrigona Villavicencio, upper Rio Meta drainage, Colombia.
Pronunciation	an SISS truss - try RAID ee ah tuss
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 the three (tri=three) rays (radiatus=rays) or divisions of tentacles on its snout.
Species Information
Size	92mm or 3.6" 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. A. triradiatus is an overall mottled brown that can range from golden to dark brown. The caudal and paired fins sport a pattern of darker markings that often merge to form wavy lines.
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	Exported in large numbers via Villavicencio, Colombia for the aquarium hobby. Most likely occurs throughout the upper Rio Meta and in the lower reaches of Andean streams that feed the Rio Meta. Records from the Rio Magdalena and Maracaibo basin drainages are suspect.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: middle and lower Orinoco River tributaries; Valencia Lake basin and Los Guayos River basin; southern tributaries of Lake Maracaibo basin. Orinoco, Middle Orinoco, Meta (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.
pH	6.6 - 7.6
Temperature	24.0-30.0°C or 75.2-86°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Water should be well aerated.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Thrives, and even spawns, on a vegetarian diet of fresh vegetables (cucumber, zucchini, squash etc). Will also except most any prepared aquarium foods. Meaty foods can be fed once a week to condition adults for spawning. User data.
Furniture	This fish can easily adapt to most aquarium set ups provided it has a hiding place. A reproduction of its natural habitat would include driftwood and medium and small stones over a sand substrate.
Compatibility	As with most Ancistrus, a great addition to almost any aquarium. A peaceful aquarium resident. It may tangle with other benthic fishes if there are not enough hiding places available.
Suggested Tankmates	Appropriate with most community fish that aren't overly big or aggressive.
Breeding	Easily accomplished with adult fishes. The male should provided a suitable cave that has only one entrance. Water conditions are not particularly important, but the best success is had in water with a neutral to slightly acidic pH and low general hardness. Females produce from 20-60 eggs depending on their size and become gravid every 4-6 weeks depending on diet.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society v. 56 (no. 7), pp 680.
Registered Keepers	There is but a single registered keeper, view all "my fish" data.
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 4 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode

	Look up A. triradiatus on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up A. triradiatus on Fishbase
	Look up A. triradiatus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up A. triradiatus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.4.883
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:37 (species record created: 2002 Jun 12 00:00)