Ancistomus snethlageae (L141) Care Guide
Ancistomus snethlageae (L141) is a mid-sized loricariid pleco from the Tapajós basin, requiring driftwood, caves and oxygen-rich water.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Ancistomus snethlageae is a loricariid catfish described by Steindachner in 1911 and known in the hobby as L141 (also L215). FishBase and Wikipedia place it in the Tapajós basin in Brazil. It is a mid-sized pleco that requires driftwood, caves and clean, well-oxygenated water.
Taxonomy
- Family: Loricariidae
- Genus: Ancistomus
- Scientific name: Ancistomus snethlageae
- Described by: Steindachner, 1911
- L-numbers: L141, L215
Habitat
FishBase and Wikipedia record the species from the Tapajós River basin in Brazil. It is a freshwater, demersal (bottom-dwelling) fish of tropical climate, associated with rocky and sandy stretches with current.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L (about 40 gal)
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
FishBase records a maximum size of 22 cm total length. Well-oxygenated water with moderate to strong current and ample hiding places is important.
Diet
The species is omnivorous, fed around once daily. A varied diet of sinking foods, algae or spirulina-based foods and vegetable matter suits this bottom-dwelling loricariid.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, nocturnal bottom-dweller. It can be combined with tetras and Corydoras, but other territorial or aggressive plecos should be avoided, especially among males.
Breeding
It is a cave-spawner, with breeding regarded as advanced. As in related loricariids, the male typically guards the eggs within a cave.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Endangered (assessed 2018), reflecting threats to its restricted river habitat.
Ancistomus snethlageae (L141) Breeding Guide
Overview
Ancistomus snethlageae (L141/L215), the Ghost Pleco, occurs in the Tapajos basin in Brazil and reaches 22 cm total length, per Wikipedia. The species has a complex taxonomic history, having previously been placed in Ancistrus, Hemiancistrus, Lasiancistrus and Peckoltia before a 2015 review placed it in Ancistomus. Wikipedia lists it as Endangered (IUCN, 2022).
Sexing
Sexing follows the general pattern for Ancistomus-type plecos: mature males develop a broader head and more pronounced odontodes than females, while a conditioned female shows a fuller belly. Source-specific dimorphism detail for L141 was not available, so claims are kept general.
Conditioning
Reports indicate well-conditioned, sexually mature fish of both sexes are needed before any spawning attempt. A varied diet in a dimly lit tank with abundant hiding places (driftwood, rocks or caves) helps bring fish into condition.
Breeding Setup
Reported breeding conditions require warm water around 30 °C that is soft, acidic and highly oxygenated, plus a choice of several relatively snug caves. The tank should be dimly lit with a good number of hiding places created with driftwood, rocks or pleco spawning caves.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
As a cave-spawner, the male takes up a snug cave that the pair spawn in. Captive breeding is described as very challenging with few reports; the combination of high temperature, soft acidic water and strong oxygenation appears central to triggering interest.
Egg & Fry Care
In common with other cave-spawning loricariids, the male tends the clutch inside the cave until the fry hatch and absorb their yolk sacs. Species-specific clutch sizes and timings for L141 were not available from the consulted sources and are therefore omitted.
Common Challenges
Captive spawning is rare and difficult, and the species is assessed as Endangered, so responsibly sourced, captive-bred stock should be prioritised. Maintaining warm, soft, acidic, oxygen-rich water consistently is the principal husbandry hurdle.