10b. Catfishes: Suckermouths, Plecos and L-numbers (300)

  • Hypoptopoma gulare

    7. September 2018

    The genus Hypoptopoma comprises small to medium sized loricariids. The largest species known becomes about 10 cm long. At the first glimpse they look much alike a Otocinclus, but larger. Typical for members of Hypoptopoma is the position of the eyes. They are placed in way at the side of the head that the fish […]

  • L137 Hypostomus soniae / Cochliodon soniae

    27. August 2018

    The pretty, blue-eyed L137 from the Rio Tapajós is only rarely offered. It is a medium-sized species of Hypostomus that can reach a maximum length of about 20 cm. The colour of the fish is quite variable. Specimens exist that have rather brown fins, others have spotted fins and again others have bright orange-red fins. […]

  • Panaque sp L330

    15. August 2018

    The „Full Spotted Royal Pleco“ belongs to the very attractive members of the wood-feeding genus Panaque. The species attains a maximum size of about 40 cm. Sadly in young fish the adult coloration cannot become even guessed, they are striped, like many other members of the genus. Only in halfgrown fish the spotted pattern has […]

  • Squaliforma cf. emarginata L11

    3. August 2018

    Among the loricariid catfishes that are known by scientists for a very long time already is this species. It has been described initially 1840 under the name of Hypostomus emarginatus. Since then it has been placed in different genera, in 2001 in Squaliforma and in 2016 in Aphanotorulus, when Squaliforma has been considered to be […]

  • Hemiloricaria lanceolata Red

    8. June 2018

    It was back in the 1980ies that a brick-red sport of whiptail catfish appeared in the former GDR. The real origin of the fish stays a mystery, but it was possible to cross it with Hemiloricaria (formerly Rineloricaria) lanceolata. The strains that exist nowadays are most probably all hybrids. The initial red whiptail catfish belonged […]

  • Pseudacanthicus cf. leopardus: L 114 big and small

    18. May 2018

    The L-catfish L 114 is a close relative of Pseudacanthicus leopardus (please see our entrance on LDA 7 for that); currently we have different sizes of the beautiful L 114 in stock, among them (very rarely offered) 25-30 cm long specimens which are almost fully grown and in any case mature and one of the […]

  • Panaqolus albomaculatus LDA 31 Venezuela

    9. May 2018

    In one of the most current issue of the Datz magazine (Datz 3/2018) a new L-number has been published, namely L501. This is a Hypancistrus from Venezuela belonging in the closer relationship of Hypancistrus inspector/L201/L339. It differs from the so far known relatives by the almost unspotted fins and the rather pinkish/orange spots (instead of […]

  • Leporacanthicus triactis L91 Variety

    27. April 2018

    The tooth-nose Leporacanthicus triactis from Venezuela s a beautiful aquarium fish that has a number of advantages. Besides the very nice coloration it does not become too big (maximum size reported is about 30 cm, but most specimens in the wild stay much smaller) and it is an omnivorous fish that readily accepts all types […]

  • Micracanthicus vandragti L280

    20. April 2018

    One could think that this unusual suckermouth catfish – it originates from the Rio Ventuari in Venezuela – represents the juvenile form of a Leporacanthicus, for example L240 or L241. But in fact L280 is a dwarf species that hardly ever becomes bigger than 5 cm. Until now only single specimens appeared in the trade, […]

  • Guyanancistrus guahiborum L106

    11. April 2018

    Currently we have extremely nice youngsters of L106 in stock. They originate from Venezuela. There is a second, very similar L-number, L122. L106 has a deeper body. Maximum size reported for L106 is about 15 cm, recently our fish are 4-6 cm long. The species has been described scientifically in 2005 under the name of […]

  • Brochiloricaria macrodon

    15. January 2018

    We received from Paraguay this wonderful mouthbrooding whiptail catfish. Once we had this species even as bred ones in stock – many years ago. In our recent import the prolongations of the fins are very obvious. This reminds a bit in Lamontichthys. However, Brochiloricaria has a completely different mouth structure and feeding habit. Brochiloricaria are […]

  • Leporacanthicus sp. L326

    15. December 2017

    This unusual Leporacanthicus originates from the Orinoco. The L-number was given already back in 2002. Initially the fish was imported from Colombia. It is said that these fish were collected in the area around Puerto Carreño. We currently received this fish for the first time ever; our specimens come from Venezuela. L326 differs from all […]

  • Hemiloricaria melini

    10. November 2017

    Lately we introduced to you Hemiloricaria sp. „Puerto Ayacucho“, a species known so far from Venezuela only, which we could import along with Hemiloricaria melini from Brazil. This post led to a number of requests wether we could also depict the imported melini-Whiptails. Well, we can: here they are! Hemiloricaria melini forms along with H. […]

  • Hemiloricaria sp. „Puerto Ayacucho“

    27. October 2017

    Finally we were able again to import some of the beautiful Hemiloricaria melini from ´Brazil (Rio Negro basin). As usual this shipment contained several bycatches, like H. sp. Weißdorn and H. castroi (see our post http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archives/hemiloricaria-bycatches/), but this time there were also some specimens we have never seen before. The most obvious feature of the […]

  • L168 Zonancistrus brachyurus

    18. October 2017

    We obtained wonderful L168 from Brazil. In this case the L-number provides a safer information than the scientific name. Due to several misidentifications this fish was in the hobby initially named Peckoltia pulcher, then Dekeyseria pulcher, sometimes also Zonancistrus pictus. But the valid name (this is at least current state of the art) is Zonancistrus […]

  • Peckoltia brevis / LDA 78

    18. September 2017

    We received this beautiful small pleco once more from Brazil. The species became popular in the hobby long time before any L-numbers were created. Peckoltia brevis attains a maximum length of about 12 cm. It originates from affluents of the Amzaon river, for example from the Rio Purus, the Rio Jurua, the Rio Manacapuru, and […]

  • Hypoptopoma psilogaster

    1. September 2017

    The genus Hypoptopoma comprises small to medium sized loricariids. The largest species known becomes about 10 cm long. At the first glimpse they look much alike a Otocinclus, but larger. Typical for members of Hypoptopoma is the position of the eyes. They are placed in way at the side of the head that the fish […]

  • Glyptoperichthys scrophus

    4. August 2017

    The genus Glypterperichthys (Sailfin plecos) is represented in the hobby mainly by thetwo species G. gibbiceps and G. joselimaianus, because both species have a very attractive coloration. Both are bred in large numbers in Southeast Asia and so they are almost anytime available for moderate prices. A rarity is G. scrophus, the rhino sailfin pleco […]

  • L 128 Hemiancistrus sp. or Ancistrinae gen. sp.

    23. July 2017

    Many L-numbers have received correct scientific names in the meantime; not so the „Blue Phantom“, which ist stil undescribed. Currently most keepers tend to place the species in the genus Hemiancistrus, but this is not confirmed. It is also possible that the fish will have to be placed in a new genus (Ancistrinae gen.sp.). We […]

  • Extraordinary attractive Hypancistrus debilittera (L129) arrived!

    2. April 2017

    Currently is the best import season for plecos from the Rio Orinoco. So we have a large number of species in stock. Among them is of course Hypancistrus debilittera, which was called L129 before it became described scientifically. This is a pretty, small species with an enormous range of colour pattern. There hardly exist two […]

  • Hemiodontichthys acipenserinus

    28. March 2017

    This species has been named “Pinocchio cat” in the trade due to its funny looking nose. The species represents the smallest of all mouthbrooding whiptail cats – it usually grows only to 10 cm total length in aquaria – and is thus very well suited for keeping. We currently were able to import these beautiful […]

  • Peckoltia sp. Red Tiger L209

    24. March 2017

    When we imported this beauty for the very first time it was not possible to identify it as a already known species. But now there is a consensus among hobbyists that it is identical with L209. L209 is a typical member of the genus Peckoltia. The omnivorous species attains a maximum length of about 15 […]

  • Hemiloricaria teffeana

    6. March 2017

    The vicinity of Tefé (written Teffe in elder publications) in Brazil is a place of wonders in aquarists eyes. When the name Tefé is spoken everybody is reminded in beautiful Green Discus and gorgeous Apistogramma agassizii from that region. But ther also lives a very attractive whiptail catfish: Hemiloricaria teffeana. However, the species has a […]

  • Zonancistrus sp. L52

    15. February 2017

    The season for plecos from the rio Orinoko started very well. Many much sought for species are available in many different sizes. Most specimens of the Orinoco Butterfly Pleco (L52) we currently have in stock are charming and very pretty youngsters, but we also have a few large (9-11 cm) animals in our fishhouse. The […]

  • Hemiloricaria bycatches

    25. July 2016

    257975-hemiloricaria-teffeana-portrait

    The past days were dominated by whiptail catfish. Along with our first importation of Pseudoloricaria sp. (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/aktuelles/pseudoloricaria-sp-2/) came as bycatch not less than four different species of Hemiloricaria! This is extremely unusual, for all these species have a very similar way of life and so they stand in direct competetion to each other. The four species are Hemiloricaria fallax, H. teffeana, H. castroi, and H. sp. Barcelos.

    257975-hemiloricaria-teffeana-flosse-hoch

    257975-hemiloricaria-teffeana-totale

    287654-hemiloricaria-castroi-frau-portrait

    287654-hemiloricaria-castroi-frei

    287654-hemiloricaria-castroi-mann-portrait

    287654-hemiloricaria-castroi-paar

    287654-hemiloricaria-castroi-totale

    287803-hemiloricaria-fallax-maul

    287803-hemiloricaria-fallax-portrait

    287803-hemiloricaria-fallax-portrait2

    287803-hemiloricaria-fallax-totale

    288983-hemiloricaria-sp-barcelos-mann-portrait

    288983-hemiloricaria-sp-barcelos-mann-totale

    May this be as it is: we also obtained – from the very same area – even a fifth species, namely Hemilorcaria sp. Weißdorn, also known under the name H. sp. Amazonia. Raphael Covain, a French scientist that works a lot with Rineloricaria, informed us – based on his research on the genus – that the latter species is identical with Rineloricaria platyura.

    288964-hemiloricaria-sp-amazonas-mann-totale

    The generic names Hemiloricaria and Rineloricaria have both been established in 1862 by P. Bleeker. The validity of Hemiloricaria is reason for a debate among scientists. There are two basic opinions, the one is that both genera are valid, the other (i.a. the one of Covain) that Hemiloricaria is a synonym od Rineloricaria.

    288964-hemiloricaria-sp-amazonas-paar

    288964-hemiloricaria-sp-amazonas-mann-dreiviertel

    We are not specialized in this group of fish and simply follow the opinion that is most commonly shared in the German speaking area. This is that Hemiloricaria is a valid genus. In any case we thank Raphael Covain sincerely for his help. Many thanks also to Ingo Seidel who helped us to identify the bycatches of Pseudoloricaria.

    For our customers: we currently have the following species that were mentioned above in stock: H. sp. Weißdorn/H. platyura (code 288965), H. fallax (code 287804) and one specimen of H. cf. castroi (code 287655). Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

    Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

  • Pseudoloricaria sp.

    21. June 2016

    Yesterday we introduced to you a brandnew „Hemiloricaria“ and mentioned that the determination of the species is very doubtful. Now we were able to take pictures of the ventral side of the animals and the enigma was solved: these fish are no Hemiloricaria at all, but members of the genus Pseudoloricaria! In Pseudoloricaria the lower […]

  • Chaetostoma L455 Tiger

    2. May 2016

    After quite a long time we were able again to import the pretty Chaetostoma sp. L455 Tiger from Peru. Generally speaking, species belonging to Chaetostoma do not attract by nice coloration, but this species is really an exception from the rule. This is true at least for the males, the females do not have the […]

  • Panaqolus albivermis, L204

    26. April 2016

    Currently we have all sizes of L204 in stock, among them fully grown specimens. They show impressively how different the individual pattern in loricariids can be. We have specimens with small spots, species-specificly banded animals and all thinkable intergrades. The photos were made from four fully grown specimens in our fishhouse, size-class 11-14 cm. Pictures […]

  • First import of Rhadinoloricaria macromystax

    20. April 2016

    287255-rhadinoloricaria-macromystax

    Even keepers specialized in whiptail catfish will hardly know this fish. Until now only preserved specimens or pictures of animals photographed in the field were known. Now we were able for the first time ever to import some specimens alive from Venezuela. The species has been described in 1869 from Peru.

    287255-rhadinoloricaria-macromystax1

    287255-rhadinoloricaria-macromystax2

    These fish are extremely sensitive. Our supplier reports that he has big difficulties during the acclimatization of the fish. The reasons for these difficulties are unknown. The way the fish hold their pectoral and ventral fins (like spoilers) may be a hint that these whiptail cats are adopted to strong current (a so-called rheophilic species).

    287255-rhadinoloricaria-macromystax3

    The species is said to attain a length of about 15 cm. This means that our specimens are fully grown or at least sexually mature. If they represent the “real” Rh. macromystax or a close, still undescribed relative, cannot be decided by us. The genus is only insufficient researched.

    287255-rhadinoloricaria-macromystax-von-unten

    For our customers: the animals have code 287255 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Only very few specimens available!

    Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

  • L102, Hypancistrus inspector

    4. March 2016

    Once more we could import the beautiful Snowball Pleco (Hypancistrus inspector, L102) from the Rio Negro in Brazil. The species can attain a maximum length of about 18-20 cm and is one of the largest species in Hypancistrus. However, our fish in stock are currently only 6-12 cm long. In the most current import we […]

  • Loricaria sp. Rio Atabapo

    3. February 2016

    Finally we are able again to offer bred specimens of this Loricaria. It is the most beautiful species of the genus. Like all its relatives it is a mouthbrooding species. The males carry the egg-clusters along with them. For this they use the lower lip, which becomes much bigger during the breeding season, until the […]

  • Rineloricaria lanceolata

    20. November 2015

    Currently we obtain very nice Rineloricaria lanceolata from Paraguay. This species of whiptail catfish is very variable in respect of coloration. Almost all colours from deep dark brown (almost black) to a light clay-brown can be observed. It was back in the 1980ies that a brick-red sport of whiptail catfish appeared in the former GDR. […]

  • Hypancistrus sp. L66 King Tiger Pleco

    13. November 2015

    The King Tiger Pleco originates from the Rio Xingu in Brazil. The species belongs to the most popular plecos in the hobby. This fish attains a length of about 15 cm. Currently we can offer very nice German bred ones (4-5 cm long), which have a pretty and strongly contrasting black-and-white-pattern. Like in all species […]

  • Parotocinclus cf. variola

    14. October 2015

    For the first time ever we were able to import this interesting dwarf suckermouth catfish. It originates from a only recently discovered region, namely the waterfalls of Cachoeira do el Dorado in the far northern parts of Brazil, almost at the border to Venezuela. This area has not been explored ichthyologically yet. Of all the […]

  • Hypostomus sp. LDA10

    14. October 2015

    The great rush for l-numbers is over, no doubt. But even at the highest level of the hype some of the species appeared only once or twice in the ornamental fish market. One of those guys is LDA, a species of Hypostomus with an extraordinary broad head. Obviously this species lives syntopically with the much […]

  • Hypoptopoma cf. psilogaster “sp. II”

    16. September 2015

    The dwarf catfish of the genus Hypoptopoma are close relatives of the much better known Otocinclus species. Both genera have a similar habit and a similar  way of life. Members of Hypoptopoma have a very typical position of the eyes. This gives them the advantage to be able to see what happens below them them […]

  • Flyer-cats from Brazil!

    26. August 2015

    Recently we received a shipment of flyer-cats (Pseudolithoxus), which have been collected in the surroundings of Sao Gabriel do Cacheiro at the Rio Negro. At the first glimpse the fish look very similar to P. anthrax (L235) from Venezuela. But they are distinguished from the latter by the much larger white spots and the white […]

  • Leporacanthicus from the Rio Tapajós: L263 and L264

    26. August 2015

    We
    received from Brazil two species of pretty carnivorous loricariids.
    Both originate from the Rio Tapajós, where they occur even syntopically.
    L264 has been described scientifically under the name of
    Leporacanthicus joselimai, whereas L263 still waits for a scientist to
    take a closer look on it.

    It is very unusual that two closely related species live in the wild together. Usually one species will dominate the other. But in this case it obviously works. Both L-numbers for sure represent species on their own, as both have been bred already successfully in aquaria.

    Both species attain a maximum length of about 15-20 cm.

    For our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 263-3 (L263) und 26480-L 264-3 (L264) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

    Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

  • L24 wurde beschrieben: Pseudacanthicus pitanga

    L24 has been described: Pseudacanthicus pitanga

    26. June 2015

    Another L-number has received a correct scientific description finally: L24. The beautiful orange finned cactus pleco from the Rio Tocantins is named now Pseudacanthicus pitanga. The specific name “pitanga” is from the Tupi-Guarini language and means “red” in allusion to the colour of the fins. The scientific paper also discusses the risks of using this […]

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    Glyptoperichthys joselimaianus: L1

    25. June 2015

    L-numbers are for many people simply synonyms for Loricariids. But one should remember that they have been cooked up only in 1988! L-numbers were given for species that have not been determined scientifically yet. The very first L-number, L1 (or L001, although nobody would have dreamed of hundreds of L-numbers initially) has been applied on […]

  • Ancistrus sp. L181 Rio Negro

    19. May 2015

    The many species of Ancistrus with small white dots are very difficult to tell apart. We recently obtained L181 from the Rio Negro in Brazil. The very same species has been given several L-numbers, eg L71 (from the Rio Tapajós) or L249 (from the Rio Trombetas and its affluent, the Rio Cuminá). Also extremely similar […]

  • Pseudancistrus sp. LDA 32/L259/L321 Rio Tapajós

    19. May 2015

    Currently four syntopically occuring forms of Pseudancistrus are reported from the Rio Tapajós. They differ from each other by minor differences in respect of coloration and proportions. L321 is the comparatively flattest of them, has small dots and a reddish seam at the caudal fin. LDA32 and L259 are a bit deeper bodied and have […]

  • Ancistrus sp. Black Rio Negro (L88)

    19. May 2015

    We received a good number of pure black Ancistrus from the Rio Negro. These have no clearly visible markings, except one: a deepblack spot on the basis of the dorsal fin. This somewhat unspectacular, but characteristic feature made finally the determation possible. Our fish belong to the species named “L88” or Anstrus sp. Black (the […]

  • Panaque Blue-Eye

    8. May 2015

    We
    were able to import two large males of this top rarity. There is still
    an ongoing debate among specialists whether Panaque suttonorum (= P.
    suttoni) and P. cochliodon do represent the same species or not.
    However, in the most recent scientific revision, P. suttonorum is
    considered to be valid.

    For
    our customers: the animals have code 275007 on our stocklist. Please
    note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Only two specimens
    available!

    Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

    Finally available again: L135!

    2. February 2015

    The
    L-catfish L135 belongs to the most attractive L-numbers. Most
    specialists currently believe that it represents a variety of the
    species Peckoltia braueri. This species has been given also two other
    L-numbers, eg 121 and 305. L135 from the central Rio Negro basin is the
    most colourful of them. This catfish attains a maximum length of 12-15
    cm and has been bred in aquaria already. It is only very rarely
    available as wild collected stock, so we are quite glad about our
    successful importation!

    For
    our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 135-1 on our stocklist.
    Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

    Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

  • Panaqolus sp. Alto Nhamunda

    26. January 2015

    Along with the spectacular Peckoltia sp. “Alto Nhamunda” (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/news.php#1245) a specimen of Panaqolus reached us, which is very similar to the L-number L374. Very similar is also L403. Both L-numbers most probably represent the same species. One should not forget that a L-number is not given for new species, but for Loricariids exported from […]

  • Farlowella vittata

    16. January 2015

    The needle suckers of the genus Farlowella are quite specious. To date 27 species are recognized as valid. As many species look very similar to each other the exact determination often proofs to be quite difficult. The 27th species has been described very recently from Colombia (it is the species Farlowella yarigui which has not […]

  • Peckoltia sp. Alto Nhamunda

    17. December 2014

    We are glad to be able to present to you another jewel by the end of the week again. We could import last year already a new species of Peckoltia from the upper Nhamunda River in Brazil, which is also famous for its pretty discus. This first importation contained only fully grown specimens (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/news/Peckoltia_sp_Alto_Nhamunda_en/). […]

  • L204 Panaqolus albivermis

    28. November 2014

    One of the most beautiful L-numbers at all has obtained an official, valid name in 2013: Panaqolus albivermis. The species originates from Peru. We currently were able to import again a good number of wonderful young specimens of this small species of catfish (maximum length around 10 cm). Among them are also 5 spotted individuals. […]

  • Farlowella hahni

    25. November 2014

    Farlowella hahni The species of Farlowella are fascinating animals. These suckmouth catfishes look more alike small sticks than fishes! Currently 26 species are recognized as valid, which are spread all over South America. Sadly the determination of the species is often quite tricky. Four species of Farlowella are known from Paraguay, namely F. hahni, F. […]

  • L167 arrived!

    27. October 2014

    Finally we were able to import again one of the most attractive species of Cochliodon: L167. The species belongs to the typical representatives of the genus, which feed mainly on soft wood. This can be recognized by the very few teeth, which have a specialized shape with a broad, mussel-shaped cusp. L167 originates from the […]

  • Finally available again after many years: L354

    23. October 2014

    We
    are glad that we were able to import once more the pretty L354 from the
    Rio Iriri. The species has been described scientifically under the name
    of Spectracanthicus zuanoni in early 2014. The scientists declare them
    conspecific with L20 from the Rio Xingu (the Rio Iriri is an affluent of
    the Rio Xingu). However, L20 has much smaller spots. In the very same
    scientific paper the genus Oligancistrus has been declared as a synonym
    of Spectracanthicus.

    Anyway:
    we are very glad to see the beautiful animal again in our fishhouse!
    Spectracanthicus zuanoni attains a maximum length of about 15 cm.

    For
    our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 354-2 (6-8 cm) and
    26480-L354-3 (8-10 cm) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively
    supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited numbers only!

    Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

  • L273 Pseudacanthicus sp. Titanic XL

    13. October 2014

    The Titanic was never traded in large numbers and is one of L-numbers in great demand. We received now three large specimens from Brazil, which seem to be fully grown. They are 25-30 cm long. One of them is for sure a male. It can be easily identified by the strong spines and the long […]

  • Cochliodon sp.

    7. October 2014

    Among the most popular fishes from Paraguay is the Violet Red Bruno. Finally the species has attained a scientific name: Hypostomus basilisko. The distribution of the fish is the Rio Paraguay, both in Brazil and Paraguay. Here it occurs along with two quite similar species of the Cochliodon-group of Hypostomus, namely Hypostomus cochliodon and Hypostomus […]

  • L107 / L184 Brillant-Ancistrus

    24. September 2014

    Among the most beautiful species of Ancistrus is this one. It originates from the middle Rio Negro area in Brazil and is not yet determined scientifically. Instead even two L-numbers have been given to it, namely L107 and L184. The Brilliant Ancistrus is a very peaceful species. The number and size of the white spots […]

  • Paraloricaria vetula

    24. September 2014

    The genus Paraloricaria contains three species that are distributed in southern South America. The fish are virtually unknown in the hobby. This is for sure at least in part due to the enormous size the fish can reach. At least P. commersonoides and P. vetula become larger than 50 cm. For the first time ever […]

  • L234 Megalancistrus sp. Rio Urguayo

    10. September 2014

    We were able to import two pretty gobbets from Paraguay, or, to be more detailed, from the Rio Urguayo. The two Megalancistrus are currently 40-50 cm long and show clearly why they have deserved their generic name: Megalancistrus means “gigantic Ancistrus”. Scientifically speaking, our fish most probably belong to the species M. parananus. For our […]

  • Hypostomus luteus

    16. June 2014

    Yesterday the most beautiful of all plecos, Hypostomus luteus from Paraguay, arrived. Only fully grown specimens display the fantastic, reddish-yellow coloration, whereas young fish are black with light spots. All specimens are 35-40 cm long. For our customers: the animals have code 262639 and 262649 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the […]

  • L330 Panaque sp. Spotted 14-18 cm

    16. June 2014

    We have some specimens of this gorgeous, wood-eating pleco in stock. L330 originates from Colombia. Fully grown specimens get a spotted pattern all over the body. Younger specimens can look quite similar to L190 or Panaque nigrolineatus, because they usually show a striped pattern. The yellow tips of the caudal fin are a good hint […]

  • Parotocinclus longirostris

    6. May 2014

    These dwarf sucker cats reaches us from Brazil. They belong to the smallest species of sucker cat at all. Even fully grown they hardly extent 2.5 cm in length. The determination on species level is not absolutely confirmed, for obviously a complex of very similar species exists. However, in any case the fish are tiny […]

  • Ancistrus White Seam

    1. April 2014

    Dear
    customers, the scientific names in Ancistrus are sadly a total mess.
    First of all: the genus Ancistrus contains a large number of species.
    Currently 66 species are accepted, scientifically described species in
    Ancistrus. However, in former days a great number of species has been
    described under the generic name of Ancistrus, which currently are
    placed in totally different genera – examples are Lithoxus,
    Pterygoblichthys, Hemiancistrus, Dekeyseria etc.. So one must be aware
    that reviewing these genera will probably recover other, additional
    species and will make changes of names necessary.

    The
    “Common Bushmouth” has been established in the 1950ies in our tanks. At
    that time nobody even guessed how many species exist. This is the
    reason why that fish was determined under the name of Ancistrus
    dolichopterus. At that time it was usual practice to cross in
    established aquarium populations wild collected specimens for
    “refreshing of blood”. So we can be almost absolutely sure that our
    “Common bushmouth” is a cross, a multiple hybrid. At least no species is
    known from wild populations that has exactly the features that our
    “Common Bushmouth” has. It is comparably easy to cross different species
    of Ancistrus, as it in between platys and swordtails. This is no
    criterion for species discrimination.

    Nowadays
    are not only the 66 scientifically described species known, but also
    another 90 species – some with, some without a L- oder LDA-number (see
    Mergus Atlas on catfishes, vol.2). All of them are occasionally imported
    or bred. We are far from understanding the systematics of all these
    fish, but one thing can be said for sure: Ancistrus dolichopterus is one
    of the so called White Seam Ancistrus and has been given the L-number
    183. So please keep in mind: L183 = Ancistrus dolichoperus.

    The
    “Common Bushmouth” is a cross and so it cannot bear a scientific
    species name according to the international rules of scientific
    nomenclature. From a scientific point of view it must be named by the
    generic name only, eg Ancistrus.

    There is more than one species
    of Ancistrus with a white seam in the dorsal and the caudal fins. A.
    dolichopterus can usually easily recognized by the fact that it has 9
    soft rays in the dorsal fin (all other similar Ancistrus have 7-8). Only
    very occasionally individuals of A. dolichopterus with less than 9 soft
    rays in the dorsal fin occur. The coloration is no good determination
    feature, for juveniles look different than adults and Ancistrus can
    change their colours also mood-dependent quite quick.

    Before
    it was found that L183 is Ancistrus dolichopterus, L183/White Seam
    Ancistrus was wrongly determined as Ancistrus hoplogenys. However, today
    we know that Ancistrus hoplogenys is identical with L59, which has
    orange seams on the dorsal fin. There is another species of Ancistrus
    which is repeatedly confused with Ancistrus dolichopterus, L183/White
    Seam Ancistrus. This species obtained several L-numbers: L71, L181 and
    L249. However, all these L-numbers represent the same species. It was
    given the common name “false hoplogenys”, because only the small
    juveniles have the pretty white seams, in contrast to the “true
    hoplogenys” (which is Ancistrus dolichopterus, L183/White Seam
    Ancistrus) which has these white seams the whole life through. In “L71,
    L181 and L249” these white seams disappear in elder fish. Sadly both
    forms are not distinguished in Brazil. So even we never know what we
    will get when we order small White Seam Ancistrus from Brazil.

    Sadly
    this mess in names still persists. Please note that on our stocklist
    due to technical reasons no solution that satisfies all needs is
    possible. So the “Common bushmouth” is still called “Ancistrus
    dolichopterus” and has code 20420. We call all undeterminable wild
    collected Ancistrus that look similar to the “Common bushmouth”
    “Ancistrus dolichopterus wild”, code 20411. The real A. dolichopterus or
    “L183/real hoplogenys/white seam” has code 20440 and the name A.
    hoplogenys. Juveniles, that could be both L183 and L71, L181 and L249 we
    call Ancistrus sp. White Seam, code 20480.

    Despite the fact that
    we are always trying to use correct names, this seems to be impossible
    in some special cases, like this one. If you are in doubt which species
    is meant on the stocklist, please don´t hesitate to ask our employees.
    Thank you!

    Text: Frank Schäfer, photos: Frank Schäfer, Dieter Bork, Erwin Schraml

    Gorgeous LDA7 in stock

    1. April 2014

    We
    have only very rarely the opportunity to be able to offer that
    wonderful species of Pseudacanthicus. Currently we have even a number of
    specimens of LDA7 in an ideal size in stock.

    For
    our customers: the fish have code 26480-LDA007-7 on our stocklist.
    Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

    Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

  • Hemiodontichthys acipenserinus

    17. February 2014

    This species has been named “Pinocchio cat” in the trade due to its funny looking nose. The species represents the smallest of all mouthbrooding whiptail cats – it usually grows only to 10 cm total length in aquaria – and is thus very well suited for keeping. We currently were able to import these beautiful […]

  • Hemiodontichthys acipenserinus

    17. February 2014

    These strange whiptail catfish, in nature living in a sandy habitat, are regularly imported, although in low numbers. This species requires a sandy substrate, in which they can hide themselves. Because this is a shy fish absolute care needs be taken in the choice of tank mates. The reproduction of this species is not very […]

  • We can “big”, too…L191

    30. January 2014

    Ornamental fish are not necessarily small. Last week we received this juggernaut, a Panaque sp. “L191”. The animal has taken the transit from Colombia in our fishhouse in stride and has settled down perfectly.

  • L137 Hypostomus soniae / Cochliodon soniae

    L137 Hypostomus soniae / Cochliodon soniae

    26. November 2013

    The pretty, blue-eyed L137 from the Rio Tapajós is only rarely offered. It is a medium-sized species of Hypostomus that can reach a maximum length of about 20 cm. The colour of the fish is quite variable. Specimens exist that have rather brown fins, others have spotted fins and again others have bright orange-red fins. […]

  • Pseudolithoxus nicoi

    11. November 2013

    We could import some specimens of the pretty white seam flyer cat from Venezuela. This rarely offered species attains a maximum length of about 12 cm. For our customers: the fish have code 284633 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

  • Acestridium dichromum arrived!

    7. November 2013

    We received the very rare dwarf suckermouth catfish Acestridium dichromum from Venezuela. The species attains a length of 5-6 cm only. The species could be called “chameleon dwarf sucker cat”, for it becomes bright green when sitting on plant leaves, but changes colour to brown within a few days when only roots and stones are […]

  • A new Cactus Cat related to L24/L25

    7. October 2013

    The Cactus Cats L24 and L25 become around 25-30 cm long and are quite popular among hobbyists with spacy tanks. The fish are very colorful and scientifically still undescribed. L24 originates from the Rio Tocantins and Rio Araguaia, L25 from the Rio Xingu. The two can be best distinguished by the pattern of the head: […]

  • L56x Parancistrus sp. 2-color

    2. October 2013

    We have obtained a small number of this very unusual loricariid from Brazil. “Technically” speaking, they belong to the species P. aurantiacus. The species is famous for the fact that they can be bright golden, marbled or black colored and it is documented that they can change the colours in comparatively short time. This phenomenon […]

  • Baryancistrus xanthellus (L18) adult

    1. October 2013

    The Yellow Seam Plecos or Golden Nuggets of the genus Baryancistrus (L18, L81, L177, see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archive/l-numbers-en/_en-2/ for an overview) belong to the most desirable species of pleco at all. Young fish look very beautiful. However, almost exclusively young specimens are available in the trade. Thus we were very glad that we were able to manage […]

  • Lamontichthys llanero

    24. September 2013

    Currently we have this beautiful, but only very rarely available catfish in different sizes in stock. For more information on the species please see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archive/catfish-en/loricariidae-en/Lamontichthys_llanero_en/http://www.aquariumglaser.de/fischarchiv/welse/loricariidae/Lamontichthys_llanero_de/ For our customers: the fish have code 264854 (5-8 cm) and 264856 (10-12 cm) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Text & photos: Frank […]

  • Scobinancistrus sp. L253

    Scobinancistrus sp. L253

    17. September 2013

    This beautiful loricariid originates from the Rio Xingu. It becomes collected upstream from Altamira. In all probability the species can attain a maximum length of about 35 cm, but there are no reliable information on that topic available. The pretty pair we have currently in stock (and which made a good job as photo model) […]

  • L168 bred specimens

    10. September 2013

    Once more we received very pretty bred L168 from our proofed breeder. Currently the fish are 4-5 cm long. The scientific name of the species is Zonancistrus brachyurus. The wrong name “Peckoltia pulcher”, however, still often appears on the stocklists. For our customers: the animals have code 26480-L168x-1 on our stocklist. Please note that we […]

  • L455 Chaetostoma sp. Tiger

    28. August 2013

    Finally we were able once more to import the wonderful Chaetostoma sp. Tiger from Peru. This is our second importation since 2011. Due to the fact that we offered the first specimens long before they attained a L-number they formerly had the codenumber 214844 on our stocklist. Now they have 26480-L 455-4 (5-7 cm) and […]

  • L25 Pseudacanthicus sp. Scarlet: German bred babies!

    31. July 2013

    L25 “Scarlet” is still one of the most sought after large loricariids. Now we can offer for the first time ever German bred specimens of this beautiful species which are currently 4-5 cm long. For our customers: the animals have code 26480-L 25X-0 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. […]

  • Peckoltia sp. L202

    11. July 2013

    We received very nice coloured L202 from Colombia. This species of Peckoltia has the additional L-numbers LDA 57 and LDA 79. The fish attains a maximum length of 12-14 cm. They should be kept at temperatures of about 25-29°C. For our customers: the animals have code 26480-L 202-2 on our stocklist. Please note that we […]

  • Huge Acanthicus adonis arrived!

    28. June 2013

    Acanthicus adonis is said to reach about 1 m in length and is thus one of the largest species of loricariid catfish at all. The male that reached us now has “only” 45-50 cm. It comes from Peru and his numerous spines and thorns  make it an impressive and able-bodied animal!

    For our customers: the fish has code 201208 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

    Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

  • L34 Ancistrus ranunculus

    25. June 2013

    Once more we were able to import one of the flattest species of L-numbers: Ancistrus ranunculus (L34). In any case it is the most emancipated of all, because in this species also the females wear a pretty large beard! For our customers: the animals have code 26480-L 034-3 on our stocklist. Please note that we […]

  • Huge range of large Pseudacanthicus in stock!

    17. June 2013

    Currently we can offer several species of the magnificent Pseudacanthicus in show size: L24, Pseudacanthicus serratus, 30-35 cm, only one specimen available, code 26480-L 024-8 on our stocklist L25, Pseudacanthicus sp. Scarlet, 30-35 cm, only one specimen available in that size, code 26480-L 025-8 L25a, Pseudacanthicus sp. Sao Felix, 30-35 cm, also only one specimen […]

  • Pseudorinelepis sp. L 95

    12. June 2013

    Once more we were able to import another catfish gem: L95, a scientifically undescribed species of the genus Pseudorinelepis, which is very closely related to P. genibarbis. Our specimens come from the Takutu river in the upper Rio Branco basin. These gorgeous fishes are collected mostly in relative large specimens, because the juveniles are not […]

  • Loricaria simillima bred

    5. June 2013

    We received charming German bred specimens of this mouthbreeding whiptail catfish. Just like the parents the offspring shows a great variability regarding coloration. For our customers: the animals have code 266651 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited numbers only! Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

  • Panque suttoni

    18. March 2013

    The Blue-eyed Panaque was in the 1980ies one of the most common loricariids in the trade. By the way: the correct scientific name is Panaque suttonorum. For unknown reasons the fish is hardly available nowadays. There are, however, a lot of rumours. Some say that an ecological catastrophe appeared, others tell that a madman has […]

  • Peckoltia sp. Alto Nhamunda

    27. February 2013

    For the first time ever we could import this attractive dwarf suckermouth catfish. The maximum length observed was about 14 cm. The males – they can be easily recognized by the long “whiskers” – have a very obvious different colour compared with the females. For our customers: the animals have code 277334 on our stocklist. […]

  • Acestridium dichromum arrived!

    4. February 2013

    We received once more the very rare dwarf suckermouth catfish Acestridium dichromum from Venezuela. The species attains a length of 5-6 cm only. The species could be called “chameleon dwarf sucker cat”, for it becomes bright green when sitting on plant leaves, but changes colour to brown within a few days when only roots and […]

  • Lasiancistrus heteracanthus

    Lasiancistrus heteracanthus

    13. November 2012

    We were able to import the rare Red-eyed Deltatail-suckercat, Lasiancistrus heteracanthus, in small numbers from Peru. The species attains a total length of 15-18 cm. Besides the bright red eye the most striking feature of the species is the pretty brown-red lower lappet of the caudal fin. Lasiancistrus, in general, are good algae-eaters and fit […]

  • Spotted Ancistrus – L181 – arrived!

    13. November 2012

    We abtained very nice German bred L181. The fish are currently 4-6 cm long.

    For our customers: the fish have code 26-480-L 181X-1 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

    Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

  • Hypostomus sp. Bolivia Redfin

    22. October 2012

    In the Mergus Welsatlas, Vol.2, page 1110 the authors H.-G. Evers and I. Seidel illustrate a pretty Hypostomus originating from Bolivia. The determination of the species was not possible yet. The species reminds one strongly of L231 from Peru, but the new pleco from Bolivia has nice orange-reddish seams in the fins. We currently received […]

  • Hypancistrus sp. L236 Nachzuchten

    Hypancistrus sp. L236 bred

    22. October 2012

    Zebra plecos from the Rio Xingu and its affluents are banned for exportation for years already. Even at the times when a legal exportation was possible, L236 from the Rio Iriri (an affluent of the Xingu) was extremely rare and only few specimens were caught per year. The specimens we currently have in stock are […]

  • Aphanotorulus frankei Bolivia

    22. October 2012

    The genus Aphanotorulus contains only two species, following some scientists: A. ammophilus from the Orinoco basin and A. unicolor from the complete upper Amazon basin. However, aquarists are by far more splitting in this respect and distinguish at least four different species, among them A. frankei from Peru. We now received a shipment Aphanotorulus from […]

  • A new Golden Nugget

    1. October 2012

    The Golden Nuggets (L18, L81, L81n, L177) belong to the genus Baryancistrus and have been described scientifically under the name of B. xanthellus. However, it is still unclear wether all these forms belong to the very same species or if they represent close relatives, but seperate species. For the differences, please see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/baryancistrus-l18,-l81,-l81n,-l177_de_1072.html Now we […]

  • Hypostomus ancistroides

    19. September 2012

    This extraordinary, very slender species reached us from Paraguay. Maximum length reported is around 25 cm. This is a subtropical species and thus it is possible to keep it in an unheated indoor-tank. This is a very rare species and even we are able to offer it only very frequently and in limited numbers. For […]

  • Hypostomus ancistroides

    19. September 2012

    Once more we were able to import this extraordinary slender, very rare Hypostomus from Paraguay. The subtropical species tolerates temperatures between 16 and 28°C and attains a maximum length of about 20-25 cm. For our customers: the fish have code 262454 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in […]

  • Peckoltia sp. Red Tiger

    18. September 2012

    For the fitrst time ever we could import this extremely attractive Peckoltia from Brazil. The animals are 10-12 cm long and obviously sexually mature already. Available in very limited numbers only! For our customers: the fish have code 277313 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Text & photos: Frank […]

  • Ancistrus sp. L89 wild

    4. September 2012

    We received wild collected specimens of one of the most sought-after for species of Ancistrus from Brazil: the pretty L89 from the Purus. In L89 the nice “honeycomb-decor” stays life-long, whereas in most other similar species of Ancistrus this pattern becomes more and more dark during life. Available in limited numbers only! For our customers: […]

  • Loricaria sp. Colombia BRED

    18. June 2012

    For the first time ever we received German bred specimens of this attractive, mouthbrooding whiptail cat. The species is still undescribed scientifically, attains a maximum length of about 20 cm and is characterized by its unique harness stripes. For our customers: the fish have code 266621 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply […]

  • Hypostomus luteus – bred ones available!!!

    28. March 2012

    We are currently in the lucky position to be able to offer the only existing bred specimens of this gorgeous sucker cat from the south of South America. The specimens have a size of 3-4 cm. We enclose some pics of adults we imported in 2009 from Agentina to give a reminder what will become […]

  • Farlowella oxyrrhyncha

    30. January 2012

    For the first time ever we received this extreme sharp nosed needle sucker in very limited numbers from Peru. For our customers: the fish have code 253864 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Text & photos: Frank Schäfer