Ancistrus claro. Finally!

[TalenT]

I've been looking for this species for years, decades even. My LFS posted a list of new fish in their store this week, and there it was "LDA-08"! The very next day I paid them a visit and was sad to hear that they only had two (they had only ordered two on a whim).
Upon further investigation I could see that only one of the two was an A.claro. The other, while being an Ancistrus sp, was much too large and all black in color speckled with tiny white spots and looking nothing like Ancistrus claro (probably a bycatch).

I bought that single A.claro and asked them to please order more since I would very much like to get at least a pair. We will see in two weeks time.

I pretty sure that this is a male, judging by the ammount of "tentacles" on the snout.

[TalenT]

Two more pics:

[bekateen]

Congratulations. Yes it does look to be male. Best of luck in getting more.

Too bad the other fish was the wrong species. Did you take photos of it too? If so, please share (I'm curious what would get caught with claro).

Cheers, Eric

[TalenT]

Thanks Eric.
I will try to take some photos of it next time. I would describe it as a somewhat broad and flat Ancistrus male with quite a substantial branched mass of tentacles on the snout. All dark grey/black with tiny white spots. Around 9cm.

[TalenT]

Update!
The LFS had gotten two more A.claro this week. So I went and bought both of them. I think this might be a pair.

[TalenT]

The bycatch mentioned in earlier posts was gone.
More pics:

[bekateen]

Yes I think your new claro are a pair. Congratulations!

[TalenT]

Thanks! They seem to be doing great in their new tank, with the first male I got from the beginning. Just fed them a piece of fresh broccoli.
Got any tips on breeding caves, diameter and depth? Open on one or both ends?

[bekateen]

Mine haven't taken up caves consistently yet. As far as food, mine seem to like shrimp more than veggies.

Eric