Starlight Bristlenose L183 Care Guide

Ancistrus dolichopterus (L183) is a black-water bristlenose from the Rio Negro that needs soft, acidic water and a mature, well-flowing aquarium.

Overview

Ancistrus dolichopterus, traded as L183 and called the starlight bristlenose, is an armoured catfish of the family Loricariidae. FishBase gives a maximum size of about 14.5 cm standard length; Wikipedia reports it growing to around 11.8 cm SL. It is a facultative air-breather and was described by Kner in 1854.

Taxonomy

Family: Loricariidae
Genus: Ancistrus
Scientific name: Ancistrus dolichopterus
Order: Siluriformes

Habitat

Seriously Fish describes it as endemic to the middle and lower Rio Negro in Amazonas, Brazil, where it inhabits flowing streams and tributaries of acidic black water. FishBase lists a broader range across the upper and middle Brazilian Amazon, including the Negro, lower Trombetas, Tefe, Madeira and Tapajos basins; Wikipedia also notes Guyana.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 150 L
Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
pH: 5.5-7.0
GH: 1-10 °dGH
Lifespan: 8-12 years
Decor: sand, driftwood roots, leaf litter and dim lighting

Diet

An omnivore. Seriously Fish notes it forages for aquatic invertebrates and thrives on a varied diet of frozen Daphnia, mosquito larvae and bloodworm, shrimp, vegetables and parboiled potato. FishBase records herbivorous tendencies, feeding on plants and roots.

Compatibility

Seriously Fish describes it as relatively peaceful but territorial toward conspecifics and similarly shaped species. As a bottom-dweller it suits soft-water community tanks; small tetras and Corydoras are appropriate companions, while other territorial plecos are best avoided.

Breeding

It is a cave-spawner with paternal care, the male tending the eggs and fry (Seriously Fish). Males develop well-developed odontodes on the pectoral fins and opercle plus tentacles on the head, while females lack these features.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed 2020 (per FishBase).