Breeding Ancistrus brevipinnis (L059)

Breeding the short-fin bristlenose Ancistrus brevipinnis (L059): sexing by tentacles, cave spawning and male brood care following the documented Ancistrus pattern.

Overview

Ancistrus brevipinnis is a bristlenose loricariid endemic to Brazil, where Wikipedia records it from the Lagoa dos Patos drainage in Rio Grande do Sul. It reaches a standard length of about 10.7 cm, is more common in mountain streams and is more active at night; the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Species-specific spawning reports are scarce, so the account below follows the documented breeding biology of the genus Ancistrus.

Sexing

In Ancistrus, adult males display prominent fleshy head tentacles, while females may have only smaller tentacles along the snout margin. Males also develop evertible cheek odontodes that are reduced or absent in females.

Breeding Setup

Ancistrus species breed in hollows, caves and bank holes, so enclosed caves should be provided as nest sites. As genus members occupy flowing-water habitats, well-oxygenated water with movement supports spawning.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Males prepare the nest site and court females by expanding the dorsal and caudal fins. Wikipedia notes research suggesting the head tentacles may act as a fry mimic to attract females.

Egg & Fry Care

Females deposit 20-200 adhesive eggs, usually onto the ceiling of the cavity. The male alone cleans and fans the eggs to maintain oxygen flow; eggs hatch within 4-10 days and the male guards the hatchlings for a further 7-10 days.

Common Challenges

Wikipedia notes there is no scientific evidence that Ancistrus feed on wood; the natural diet is algae, aufwuchs and detritus, so conditioning and fry rearing should rely on these foods rather than treating wood as nutrition.