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Spotted bristlenose (Ancistrus stigmaticus) — Loricariidae

Spotted bristlenose

Ancistrus stigmaticus
Family: Loricariidae

The Spotted bristlenose (Ancistrus stigmaticus) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Spotted bristlenose is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of South America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated body and a broad sucker mouth; adult males bear branched, fleshy skin tentacles on the snout. It comes from the Orinoco and Magdalena basins in northern South America and has a dark-brown body with pale spots. With its mouth it rasps algae, growth and wood. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted bristlenose?

The Spotted bristlenose has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Spotted bristlenose live?

The Spotted bristlenose lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Spotted bristlenose get?

The Spotted bristlenose grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Spotted bristlenose dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted bristlenose is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlek-borstelmeerval sourced
English name
Spotted bristlenose sourced
Scientific name
Ancistrus stigmaticus
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ancistrus

More from the family Loricariidae

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