AquaticRepublic.com - Pseudacanthicus serratus (Loricariidae) All Fishes

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All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Pseudacanthicus serratus** (Valenciennes, 1840)
Common Name	Mustang Cactus Pleco
Type Locality	Region around Paramaribo, Suriname.
Synonym(s)	Hypostomus serratus
Pronunciation	SUE dah KAN thi cuss
Etymology	Pseud- Greek: False, Acanthicus - Greek: Spiny, Thorny. Literally "False Acanthicus" referring to this genus being similar to, yet different from, Acanthicus.
Species Information
Size	320mm or 12.6" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	The German common name for this genus is ''Cactus Pleco''. A good name! Pseudacanthicus is a member of the Acanthicus clade. Species of the Acanthicus clade are distinguished from other Loricariidae species by the presence of (1) longitudinal rows of keels (pointed odontodes) along the body sides; (2) eight or more dorsal-fin rays (vs. six or seven in most other loricariids except Pterygoplichthys, Chaetostoma, Pogonopoma and Pseudancistrus pectegenitor); (3) seven to eight infraorbitals (vs. usually five or six); (4) five anal-fin branched rays (vs. usually four); and (5) presence of hypertrophied odontodes along the snout margin (vs. hypertrophied odontodes absent in other loricariids except Isbrueckerichthys and Pareiorhaphis, in Neoplecostominae; Panaque and Pseudancistrus and Neblinichthys, in Ancistrini; and most dimorphic males of Loricariinae). Within the Acanthicus group, Pseudacanthicus is distinguished by the presence of two small plates in the posterior area of the compound pterotic (vs. one median plate or plate absent), and by the presence of narrow premaxillae with a small number of elongate and curved teeth (except from Leporacanthicus).
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: coastal drainages of the Guianas. Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas (click on these areas to find other species found there) Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2021.
Other Parameters	Lives in the deep and rocky zones of the main riverbed.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Carnivore although not a predator, prawns and chopped mussel appear favorites and promote favorable growth. High quality pellet foods are well received and greatly reduces the volume of waste produced. Some vegetable should also be provided and thus balances diet. User data.
Furniture	Adequate coverage for this Genus is required. Multiple structures consisting of wood, caves, and overhangs are ideal. High intensity lighting does not bother them and many species will 'sun themselves' on the top of the furnishings if they are comfortable with their environment. Long sight lines can promote aggression. Placing structure at different distances from the front glass is an effective solution.
Suggested Tankmates	The temptation with large tough Loricariids is to keep them with other large tough fish such as Oscars or other brutish characters. This actually works quite well with most omnivorous or mainly vegetarian plecos. Pseudacanthicus despite their defensive protection can be bullied by faster moving fish of similar size. They are carnivores and only eat vegetables when their preferred food is unavailable. The amount of waste produced depends on their diet but is considerably less than a Panaque or Pterygoplichthys of similar size.
Breeding	Unreported.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Histoire naturelle des poissons v. 15, pp 503.
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.
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	Look up P. serratus on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up P. serratus on Fishbase
	Look up P. serratus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up P. serratus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator
Last Update	2020 Oct 28 14:38 (species record created: 2010 Feb 14 13:31)