Edit Ancistrus ranunculus
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Name
Scientific name
Ancistrus ranunculus
Described by
Authority Muller, Rapp Py-Daniel & Zuanon, Year 1994
Family
Loricariidae
Common names
L034, Medusa Pleco, Monsterantennenwels
Photograph credits
All 2 credited
Summary
Ancistrus ranunculus, the medusa pleco (L034), is a wide-headed, flattened suckermouth catfish from the rio Xingu and rio Tocantins basins …
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
130mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 80 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 26–30°C, pH 6–7
Hardness
2–10dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Brazil, Tocantins, Xingu
Writing
Etymology
Ancistrus: etymology not explained, but understood to be derived from the Greek άγκιστρο ágkistron (Gr. ἄγκιστρον), meaning 'fish hook, hook of a spindle', in …
Distribution
Rio Xingu and rio Tocantins basins, Brazil.
Habitat
Inhabits shallow, fast flowing waters, where it lives among the rocky substrates.
Aquarium size
A tank with a base measuring 80 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent is sufficient to house a couple of specimens. Larger quarters would be required for a group.
Maintenance
A stream-type setup with a gravel or sand substrate and rounded stones and rocks would simulate its natural biotope, but it's equally at home in a planted tank…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Prefers a more protein-rich diet than the majority of Ancistrus spp., so supplement quality, sinking dried foods with regular offerings of live and frozen food…
Behaviour and compatibility
A generally peaceful species. In a biotope setup good tankmates include characins such as Anostomus, Hemiodus, Semaprochilodus and Metynnis species, reophilic …
Sexual dimorphism
Only males develop the full, bushy growth of tentacles covering the head.
Reproduction
Not an easy species to breed. It's therefore best to set up a separate spawning tank for a serious attempt. The best way to obtain a pair is to buy a group of …
Notes
A somewhat odd-looking species with a distinctive wide head and overall flattened profile. Unfortunately this fish is not the easiest fish to keep alive in the…
References
References
No references