Science News: Loricariidae - Ancistrus cuiabae

[Silurus]

Synopsis by Shane Linder

In the August 1999 issue of Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazine, Dr. Joachim Knaack describes Ancistrus cuiabae from the Rio Cuiba, Brazil. This fish attains a standard length of at least 115 mm and is predominantly dark brown to black (with an overall reddish tinge) and numerous small white spots. This is a rather large species with strongly developed tentacles in the males. This nocturnal species was collected from standing water lush with water hyacinth. The substrate was muddy and also host to large amounts of Corydoras hastatus, C. latus, and Brochis britskii. Ancistrus cuiabae was collected among submerged dead trees and large branches. On September 25, 1997 the collecting location had the following parameters: water temperature 28 degrees C, pH 8.91, and dissolved oxygen 8.9 mg/l.


Reference: Knaack, J. 1999. New Ancistrus Species from the Rio Cuiba System, Brazil (Pisces, Siluriformes, Loricariidae). TFH Vol. XLVII, No. 12:150-155.