Black Bristlenose L181 Care Guide
Ancistrus hoplogenys (L181) is a dark Amazonian bristlenose; the name covers a taxonomically confused group needing soft, acidic water.
Overview
Ancistrus hoplogenys is an armoured catfish of the family Loricariidae traded under the L-number L181. The name has long been applied loosely across a group of dark, white-seamed bristlenoses, and PlanetCatfish notes that the L181 import is widely regarded as Ancistrus dolichopterus rather than true A. hoplogenys. FishBase gives a maximum size of about 15.8 cm standard length and a low trophic level of 2.0.
Taxonomy
- Family: Loricariidae
- Genus: Ancistrus
- Scientific name: Ancistrus hoplogenys
- Order: Siluriformes
- Hobby code: L181
Habitat
FishBase records A. hoplogenys from the Amazon, Essequibo and Paraguay River basins, with reports from Suriname. PlanetCatfish places the L181 import in the Igarape Piraruaia, a tributary of the Rio Tefe in the Brazilian Amazon. It is a demersal, tropical freshwater fish.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 1-10 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
- Decor: sand, driftwood and caves in soft, acidic water
Appearance
PlanetCatfish notes that the L181 import shows a whitish-blue seam along the dorsal and tail fins when young, which fades with age, and that it has eyes set well on the sides of the head. It is described as quite shy compared with the common bristlenose.
Diet
An omnivore with a low trophic level (FishBase). As with other Ancistrus, Seriously Fish recommends a varied diet of sinking dried foods, frozen Daphnia, mosquito and chironomid larvae and prawn, supplemented with fresh vegetables and parboiled potato.
Compatibility
Seriously Fish describes the common bristlenose group as relatively peaceful but territorial toward conspecifics and similarly shaped species. As a bottom-dweller it suits soft-water community tanks with small tetras and Corydoras, while other territorial plecos are best avoided.
Breeding
Ancistrus are cave-spawners with the male guarding the eggs and fry (Seriously Fish). Males develop odontodes on the pectoral fins and opercle plus head tentacles, which females lack.