PlanetCatfish.com - Pseudacanthicus cf. leopardus (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Juvenile
Close-up of head
Adult
Brown colour morph
Juvenile
Sub adult
Sub-adult
Sub-adult in cave
Fry
Juvenile male below, female above (approx 5-6cm)
Adult
Fry
Fry approx 8 weeks old
Male below, female above

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Pseudacanthicus cf. leopardus** Fowler, 1914
Common Names	LDA007, Leopard Cactus Pleco L114, Demini Leopard Cactus Pleco, Leopardsugemalle (Denmark)
Pronunciation	SUE dah KAN thi cuss - leo parr duss
Etymology	Pseud- Greek: False, Acanthicus - Greek: Spiny, Thorny. Literally "False Acanthicus" referring to this genus being similar to, yet different from, Acanthicus. This specific epithet literally means leopard (leopardus=leopard) and refers to its numerous spots.
Articles	- CotM 2002 August - Shane's World Reproduction Breeding Pseudacanthicus leopardus
Species Information
Size	240mm or 9.4" 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). A few colour forms exist with more or less red/orange in the fins and, rarely, with no red. Some fish are more camel coloured than the more dark brown base colour. Additionally, the reddish/orange colouration in the caudal fin varies with age as well as amongst individuals. A certain way to ID this fish is the size of the spots on the head, they should be about the same size as the other spots on the body.
Sexing	Mature males have considerably more odontodal growth on most fins rays but the pectorals are most adorned. Females fill out quite considerably in relation to the slender males.
Habitat Information
Distribution	The majority of specimens that enter the aquarium trade originate from the Rio Demini in the Rio Negro drainage, Brazil. Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Negro (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Negro, Demini (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
pH	5.6 - 7.0
Temperature	24.0-28.0°C or 75.2-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	A black water fish, best kept in slightly acidic, softer water.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Carnivore although not a predator, prawns and chopped mussel appear favourites and promote favourable growth. Some vegetable should also be provided and thus balances diet. User data.
Furniture	Prefers a dimmer tank and requires a suitable sized cave.
Compatibility	Generally peaceful but territorial from a young age. Some large specimens are aggressively territorial and may cause problems if housed with other large nocturnal fish.
Suggested Tankmates	The temptation with large tough Loricariids is to keep them with large, tough other fish such as Oscars or other brutish characters. This actually works quite well with most omnivorous or mainly vegetarian plecos. Pseudacanthicus however are big messy carnivores, but, like all large plecos, produce vast amounts of waste and as such would require monumental filtration to house alongside non-catfish ''equals''. It is better to think of these catfish as the centrepiece fish and stock their aquarium with medium sized (preferably omnivorous) fish. All sizes of barbs work surprisingly well.
Breeding	Has been bred in the aquarium, the fish are sexually mature at about 170mm SL, see Shane's World article.
Breeding Reports	There are 8 breeding reports, read them all here.
Further Information
Reference	Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.v. 66 - pp271 - Fig. 17 Aqualog matched DATZ and shows a nice range of juvenile, sub-adult and adult photos.
Registered Keepers	There are 323 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 16 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 100 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.40.208
Last Update	2021 May 03 04:56 (species record created: 2001 May 05 00:00)