Author Archives: Paul_

Liposarcus pardalis has enormous area of origin that enclosure nearly the entire Amazon basin. It is found in different waters types, herefrom results a large adaptability for the maintenance in aquaria.
According to the size (> 40cm) enormous food quantities are consumed. In Southeast Asia they are bred in large numbers and so wild caughts are only rarely traded. All the more beautifully it is to get some splendourful drawn adolescent wild caught.

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Spectracanthicus zuanoni L 354 originates from Rio Xingu and the Rio Iriri in Brazil. It has been described scientifically only in 2014 (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/archiv.php?news_id=1195). The fish belongs to the same species as L 20, with however clearly larger white marks, so that the design reminds of a black net on a bright background. The reddish, large eyes form a beautiful contrast.

A characteristic for the former Oligancistrus species is the large dorsal fin, therefore the name Sailfinloricariids suggested by Seidel appears as very applicable for this group. Since Spectracanthicus species are found in shallow water zones with fast flowing water, they place high requirements against the water quality. As many other Loricariids from this region they should be kept at higher temperatures.

It should be paid attention on their nutrition. A too rich food with a high protein content can lead in the long term to liver damages.

For our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 254-3 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in very limited numbers only!

Photos: F. Schäfer, Text: K. Diehl

This catfish coming from Bolivia, belongs to the smallest of his relatives, measuring 13 cm maximum. It is mostly getting imported by travelling aquarium hobbyists. Regarding the water condition this kind is rather adaptable, as guide values of up to 400 µS/cm and a pH-value of 7.6 were measured. Approx. 25°C are quite enough for keeping and breeding. These fish are also hardly demanding on food, which is why a wide range of frozen and dry food is sufficient. There are no heavy demands made on the aquarium decoration. It is only absolutely necessary to place fine sand as ground to the disposal of these catfish, in which they can burrow themselves. In contrast to many other catfish of this family Ps. thorectes belong to the kinds, which actually only leave the protecting ground at night and after settling for food. Breeding is possible, although it is not very productive. Approx. 25 eggs can be looked upon as a good result. Like the other Pseudohemiodon species, Ps. thorectes also belongs to the so-called „lip-breeder“, of which the males grip the eggs with their lower lip and carry it around. After 14 days the larva hatch out and are already independent.(Photo & Text von T. Weidner)

This Chaetostoma species is imported in regular intervals from the upper Orinoco through Puerto Ayacucho. This catfish is very difficult to differentiate from L 147 and L 188. L 188 has often described in the literature as C. nudirostre. C. pearsi lives in fast streaming mountain brooks and therefore needs in the aquarium oxygen rich water. This species does not grow above 10 cm total length and is a typical aufwuchs eater, which means in nature it grazes algae but eats mainly the crustaceans, which live in the vegetation. In the aquarium it eats flake and tablet food as well. C. pearsi is a friendly fish but can become territorial against individuals of the same species. If one wants to keep more animals in the fish tank, hiding places are obligatory. (Text: I. den Daas, Photo: F. Schäfer)

As one of the early imported representatives of the so-called L-number catfishes L 66 has already an unbroken popularity. At present we can offer beside wild caughts also very beautiful german breds. Such bright grounded L 66 are at least as attractive as the most „newer“ Hypancistrus species. With a final size of approx. 15 cm they belong to the larger representatives of their genus, a smaller group of them can be maintained very well in tanks starting from 70cm length. As all Hypancistrus they are carnivores, a vegetarian complementary food is estimated. They do not clean tanks and their surrounding, for this task the long-known Ancistrus „dolichopterus“ are substantially better suitable.

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Pterosturiosoma microps is one of the regularly imported Loricariidae from Peru, although not in bigger quantities. Even though it is more impressing in colour by its soft black-grey, it can still arouse enthusiasm by its remarkable appearance and its impressive but graceful fins. But its steady nursing is not quite easy. Whereas the acclimatization probably seems to be the most problematic part, as it is difficult to get the fish used to food substitute and/or they could possibly be pre-injured by the catch or transport. The type of food is surely tainted with a certain risk, because during the first time these fish persistencely refuse to frequent a sandy or graveled ground or other decoration materials. This means they only eat what they find on waveless surfaces. Therefore it is recommended not to use ground during the quarantine, in order to get the animals into a good condition. When the fish got used to the life in the aquarium and when they recovered from the strains of transport, a nursing in a well-decorated and planted aquarium will be simple. Roots or the broad leaves of Vallisneria gigantea for example could be the prefered residences. As these catfish grow to a length of 20cm, the nursing tank should include 250 l. Unfortunately P. microps can be only socialized with really peaceful fish, which do not fight with him for food, because it does not have any self-assertion. If you meet its requirements, P. microps can be an absolutely recommendable fish, but it surely is not an easy to keep fish. (Photo & Text von T. Weidner)

From the Rio Jamanxim in Brazil we could import a small number of L 360 with nice yellow-orange fins. They are unproblematic in the maintenance need however a high portion of vegetables in their food. Similar as Panaques this over 30 cm large growing species specieseats large quantities ofr bogwood. A high performance filtering unit and frequent water changes are required for their well-being. Since they are quite rarely imported and maintained, no continuative information is known to us.

September 2006: Latterly we received this very rich contrasted male of an unknown Hypancistrus species. Certainly here exists a similarity to L 333 and also Hypancistrus spec. Xingu. It gets more and more difficult to attach single fishes to existing L numbers or to a known Hypancistrus species, because there are not enough hard criteria for a categorisation and at the moment regularly “new” Hypancistrus are coming in from Brazil.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

As a further german bred rarity we can offer Rineloricaria melini at present. Our specimen of the probably most attractive Rineloricaria species have with 9 – 12 cm length already attained full growth and are of outstanding quality. Their origin is the area of the Rio Negro where they live in black water biotopes. Like all Rineloricaria species they are cave spawners in the male gender. An aquarium for Rineloricarias should have densely planted zones, and also open areas and some caves. They are omnivores, which need both vegetable and animal food.

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

The denomination of this beautiful Hypancistrus is still disputed. It run long time under the number L 287, so it is named on our stock list. Recently it is called L 399 and/or L 400, the origin is the Rio Xingu, where it gets caught in the neighbourhood of Belo Monte. This species belongs into the relationship of L 66, L 236 and L 345. The animals reach an overall length of approx. 12 cm. Contrary to many L catfish species the strong contrast of these animals remains also at the age, so that they are very attractive. As for other Hypancistrus species a vegetable diet is not sufficient, this should only be an addition to meaty food. At higher temperatures (27 – 30°C) and good hygienic conditions the keeping of this species is not difficult. First reports on successful breeding are already present.

(Photo & Text K. Diehl)

December 2005: After years when no Panaque cochliodon (Panaque suttoni, P. suttonorum) were imported, now again few individuals reach us. Whether environmental problems or the civil war in parts of Colombia are responsible for their non appearence, can not be judged from a distance. We are glad to see this in former times not rare species again. Their bright blue eyes on black body are singular and make up the special attraction of this species. To secure their tank existence breeding attempts would be interesting. However, even in former years, when they were not so rare no guaranteed breeding reports are known. Wood eater of this size (> 40cm) need large aquariums with very high performance filtering units, since substantial excrement quantities are produced. The vegetable part of the food should be high, cucumbers, potatoes, carrots and other vegetables are gladly eaten.

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

July 2006 From southeast Brazil we could import some rare pieces from the relationship of the popular Otocinclus species. In its homeland Hisonotus ornatus inhabits with weeds infested waters. It may not be kept too warm. 24°C probably represents the reasonable upper limit. The requirements for their maintenance do not differ from those of the Otocinclus species: good filtering, predominantly vegetable nutrition and frequent water changes are the requirements for their well-being. a durable care(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

A remarkable species which came in in one of our import from Colombia. These fishes also originate from the Rio Chacu in the northern tip of the country. Because of the many bristles of the male this species has been falsely determined as Rineloricaria latirostris. A comparison with the pictures (see Mergus Catfish Atlas Part I) of the different species shows clearly the distinction, and will leave no room for doubts. This species is not demanding in the home aquarium and is breeding willingly when offered caves in the form of tubes. This is a productive fish and can easily lay 100 and even more eggs. The striking bristles on the head of the male are completely missing on the female. Also the basic colouration of the female is more lighter. The final length is approximately 18 cm. (Text: I. den Daas, Photo: F. Schäfer)

November 2006: At present we can offer beside „normal “German bred zebras (surely the most demanded of all L-numbers) an individual with a doubled lower caudal fin. This change of the fin is probably to be led back on a disturbance in the embryonic development. If someone hopes to breed a race of „veil tailed zebras “ with this fish, it will probably end in a disappointment. Nevertheless: absolutely unusual, a rarity amongst the L-numbers.

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

From the drainage basin of the Tapajos arrived a new, until now not imported loricariid catfish at our facility. Body form and yellow fin seams remind strongly of L 360, the body and parts of the fins however exhibit a veining atypical for L 360. In their maintenance requirements they might probably not differ from the recently here presented L 360. Whether it is a variant of L 360 or possibly a deviating species must at the present level of knowledge remain open.

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Glyptoperichthys joselimaianus the “White Spot – Glycopterichthys” originates from the Rio Araguaia, one of the main tributaries of the Rio Tocantins in Brazil. There it inhabits different habitats, it was found e.g. on deadwood and also on flooded meadows. Natural water conditions (white water) do not have to be copied for maintenance, L 1 are very adaptable fish. One condition for the maintenance of adult Glycopterichthys species is however the ownership of a very large aquarium. With an overall length of approximately 40 cm, which can be reached in aquaria too, they are really stately catfishes. It is very impressing to see such a fish sailing elegantly through the aquarium. Sail Fin Plecos are not shy compared with many other Loricariids. Their large appetite is noteworthy this requires a strong filtering unit. Wild caughts of this species are only rarely found in the trade, predominantly the offered animals are asiatic pond breeds.

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

June 2006: Just freshly arrived! Also for „old stagers“ there are again and again genuine surprises with us. In a shipment from Peru we received today several particularly delicate Loricariids, which represent a petite alternative to the frequently maintained Hypancistrus species. However their size of (50 – 70 cm) probably exceeds the possibilities of most fish keepers.

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

This for science unknown species was imported with a unique shipment from Colombia. Sturisoma sp. „Colombia“ was found in the Rio Chaco in the North of Colombia. This elegant Sturisoma species differs from the short finned species, which live on sandy habitats as well as from Sturisoma festivum by difference in colouration and body form. Obvious is the position of the dorsal fin, which is markedly set backwards, and standing straight up. The striking colour pattern gives us hope that this species will be imported more reglarly in future. The fish probably will be not getting much larger then 15 cm. (Text: I. den Daas, Photo: F. Schäfer)

Ancistomus sabaji – Hypostomus spec., Peckoltia spec.? A fish with many names! There is hardly another L number catfish where the confusion regarding the nomenclature is as large as with this species. This is a result of the generous allocation of numbers (L 75, L 124, L 301 and LDA 2) for this fish. One reason for this fact is the large area of origin where numerous deviating color forms exist. For the hobbyist this should be no real problem, since all varieties are attractive and can be easily kept. They can get larger than 20 cm and need therefore roomy aquariums. As expressed omnivors with only little aggression they are very well suitable for community tanks.

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

From southern Brazil and northern Argentina originates the probably most beautiful representative of the genus Hypostomus. Contrary to many other loricariids they become more beautiful with increasing age, since the portion of the yellow body parts constantly increases. Their southern area of origin suggests a tolerance in relation to low temperatures. They can be can maintained in the unheated room aquarium. Since a size of more than 30 cm can be reached a tank of appropriate size should be available.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

September 2006: This week we succeeded in importing several of this beautiful new Panaque from Brazil. In their appearance they remind of L 27, are however flatter and slimmer than these. In addition they possess a larger mouth and their dorsal fin is smaller. These characteristics let assume that they originate from strongly flowing river sections. The comparison of different sized animals shows, that the strong gold colouring, as well as the for L 27 atypical, attractive dotting of the caudal fin increases with ageing. Scarcely said: For me at present the most attractive Panaque!

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)