It remains unconfirmed as to whether this fish represents a colour form of B. xanthellus or not since its DATZ code number of L081 is not referred to in the description paper whereas all other codes for ‘gold nugget’ plecos, i.e., L018, L085, L177 plus the ‘Das Aquarium’ code LDA060 are mentioned.

In addition, one of the specimens in our images was apparently collected at São Félix do Xingu which is significantl…

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 aquarium since it requires rather specialised conditions and is often in poor condition post-import.

This is the ubiquitous ‘bristlenose’ catfish in the aquarium hobby and is bred commerically on a large scale although it’s precise origin is unknown with some of the opinion that it may be a hybrid.

Several line-bred ornamental varieties exist, including piebald, albino and long-finned forms of both the standard and albino fish, of which long-finned fish are sometimes sold as ‘butterfly’ or ‘veiltail’ catfish.

Often confused with the common bristlenose, Ancistrus sp. (3) and some other members of the genus. This species is imported quite often, but unlike sp. (3) is almost always wild caught. So similar are some of these species that a definite id is sometimes impossible without knowing the collection locality of the fish.

When buying Loricariids always check that the fish has a rounded belly and that its eyes aren't sunken, as these are classic signs of emaciation in newly imported specimens…

This species is sometimes confused with unidentified fishes such as A. sp. ‘L352’.

It can be told apart from closely-related congeners by possession of relatively long maxillary barbels which are free from the lower lip, and a colour pattern consisting of small spots on the head and vermiform lines on the body in males, and small spots all over the head and body in females.

This species is not always identified correctly with its name used for the unidentified common bristlenose and other similar species, while the fish itself has been referred to as A. hoplogenys and assigned the L-number L183.

Images and information describing it it in much of the available literature confirm this confusion.

A somehwhat 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 aquarium since it requires rather specialised conditions and is often in poor condition post-import.

As a juvenile, it often sports a pattern of light spots on the body, leading to confusion with the similarly shaped L255 species.In A. ranunculus, these spots fade as the fish mature,…

Despite its patent unsuitability as an aquarium subject attractively-coloured juvenile specimens of this species are traded in quite large numbers, although the scarcity of privately-maintained adults would suggest that most fail to reach their potential. The striking, spotted patterning also disappears as this species matures, and since it also becomes increasingly bellligerent with age it can only be recommended to owners of the largest private aquaria or tropical ponds. There exists an albino…

Despite its patent unsuitability as an aquarium subject attractively-coloured juvenile specimens of this species are traded in quite large numbers, although the scarcity of privately-maintained adults would suggest that most fail to reach their potential. The striking, spotted patterning also disappears as this species matures, and since it also becomes increasingly bellligerent with age it can only be recommended to owners of the largest private aquaria or tropical ponds. There exists an albino…