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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

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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