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 jewels for experienced keepers.

For our customers: the fish have code 276583 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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

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

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 animals once more from Peru.

For our customers: the fish have code 257904 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 difficult, if we consider its requirements. The male fish carries the eggs as a clutch, carefully surrounded by its enlarged lips for approximately 14 days. As soon as the fry is hatched, they are released and further care by the male has not been seen. Catching this fish should be taken with care because of the Odontods (little bony hairs on the exoskeleton) on the Rostrum. These can be entangled in the fishnet and could damage the fish beyond repair. Concerning feeding this species is not very picky and it will accept all available fish food, like frozen, flake or pellets. Especially freshly hatched brine shrimps are taken eagerly. (Photo & Text: Thomas Weidner)

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.

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. The latter might be confused with the similar “Bruno” from Paraguay (code 27510), but L137 can be always identified by the blue eyes, which are unique within the genus Hypostomus.

For our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 137-1 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Hypostomus: from ancient Greek, means “with inferior mouth”. Cochliodon: menas “with mussel-shaped tooth”. soniae: dedication name for Sonia Fisch-Muller, curator for fishes at the Muesum of Geneva.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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

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 available.

For our customers: the animals have code 201533 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

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: in L24 the head is plainly colored, in L25 are clearly visible dark spots on the head.

Now we received for the very first time Cactus Cats from the Rio Itacaiúna. The headwaters of that river are the same as the headwaters of the Rio Frisco, which is an affluent to the Rio Xingu. Moreover, both rivers, the Rio Itacaiúna and the Rio Frisco, are connected during the rainy season by a flooded savannah. So one would expect from the Rio Itacaiúna rather L25 than L24 and this is the reason why we listed the new fish provisionally under the name of L25b Pseudacanthicus sp. New Itacaiúna.

However, regarding coloration the new fish are much more alike L24 than L25. So DNS-samples have been sent to an institution to clearify the status. It is possible that L24 and L25 represent only colour morphs or subspecies of the same species. Both have also proved already to be somewhat variable. We know already at least 2 morphs of L25 from the Xingu and 4 morphs of L24 from the Tocantins and Araguaia (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/archiv.php?news_id=768).

For our customers: the animals have code 26480-L 025B-6 on our stocklist. Only three specimens currently available! Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Pseudacanthicus: means “false Acanthicus”; Acanthicus is another genus of loricariid catfish.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 is also observable in our specimens. The fish are currently 8-12 cm long. The photographed specimens are males and have reached full maturity already.

For our customers: the animals have code 26480-L 056X-3 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in very limited numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 the import of an adult pair. The fish have a total length of about 20-25 cm. The acclimatisation of the fish in our fishhouse made no problems at all. Maybe these two Golden Nuggets will become the ancestors of an upcoming aquarium strain?

For our customers: the animals have code 26480-L 018-7 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Baryancistrus: ancient Greek, means “heavy Ancistrus”; Ancistrus is another genus of catfish. xanthellus: ancient Greek, means “yellow”.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 Schäfer

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) is around 16-20 cm long; we have also three additional specimens of that size in stock.

The sexes are difficult to tell apart in L253. The main difference is the body shape. Our female has moreover light, yellowish-white spines in the pectoral, ventral, and caudal fin, but this is almost for sure an individual exception.

So far nothing has been published on a successful breeding of L253. However, the closely related species Scobinancistrus aurantiacus is bred even commercially in small numbers. That species is a typical cave brooder.

For our customers: the animals have code 26480-L 253-7 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Scobinancistrus: means “rasping Ancistrus”; Ancistrus is another genus of catfish. aurantiacus: means “the orange coloured”.

Suggestion of a common name: Slender peacock pleco

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 26480-L 455-5 (7-10 cm) on our stocklist. Available in limited numbers only! Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

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. Available only in very limited numbers!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

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

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 exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 available, code 26480-L 025a-7

LDA7, Pseudacanthicus sp. Leopard, two specimens 30-35 cm long, one 20-25 cm long, code 26480-LDA 007-10 (30-35 cm) and. 26480-LDA 007-8 (20-25 cm).

All pictures are made from the current stock. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 as attractively coloured. L 95 can probably reach a maximum length of 40 cm, are imported from 15 cm length upwards and our recently imported fish are about 18 to 25 cm long.

Pseudorinelepis are famous for their ability to swallow air. This behaviour replaces the swimming bladder, which is reduced in Loricariids so that is has no function anymore. Pseudorinelepis like to swim in an upside-down postion. This is absolutely normal and no reason for concern.

The fish are omnivorous, but main emphasis is plant material.

For our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 095-5 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Lexicon: Pseudorinelepis: from ancient Greek, means “false Rinelepis” (Rinelepis is another genus of Loricariids); genibarbis: from ancient Greek, means “with a hairy cheek”. omnivorous: a species that feeds on anything, without specialization.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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

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 poisoned the river and killed all fish and one more rumour says that the Colombian drug mafia controls the area where the fish appears. May it be as it is: luckily the species cannot be extinct in the wild for we still obtain some specimens now and then. Currently we have a beautiful individual with bright blue eyes in stock that is about 20-25 cm long.

For our customers: the fish has code 275006 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 stones are available.

For our customers: the animals have code 201533 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

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 in any community tank of appropriate size. The water temperature should be a bit higher than usual, 25-29°C are ideal. In the natural habitat, the water is only slightly acidic or even alcalic; so there is no need for a low pH, to the contrary, one should avoid a pH lower than 6.5.

Like almost all species of ancistrine catfish this species is a cave-brooder. A clutch of eggs found in the wild contained about 200 eggs and was deposited in a cave in a tree lying under water. The male guards the eggs.

For our customers: the fish have code 264951 (3-5 cm) and 264952 (5-7 cm) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited numbers only!

Lexicon: Lasiancistrus: Latin, means “shaggy ancistrus”, referring to the skin-spines (odontodes). heteracanthus: ancient Greek, means “with aberrant spines”.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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

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 a number of these new plecos as a bycatch of Aphanotorulus frankei Bolivia. Our fish are 3-5 cm long.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 German bred ones, very stable animals with a bright white basic coloration. Only very few specimens go on sale in the wholesale trade per year, for the demand on these fishes is so high that the breeders are literally sold out permanently. Like all these types of Hypancistrus, L236 has a very variable pattern. So each specimen can be identified by its individual coloration.

For our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 236X-1 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in very limited numbers only!

Lexicon: Hypancistrus: a combination of the words “hypo”, which means “less than” and “Ancistrus”, which is another genus of catfish; the name refers to the low number of teeth in Hypancistrus.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 the Madre de Dios basin in Bolivia, which are very similar to A. frankei.

Astonishingly the sexes can be distinguished at a very small size already, eg 3-5 cm total length. Leopard-Plecos – this is the common name for Aphanotorulus – become usually around 15 -20 cm long and live on sand bottom. Possibly our recently imported species stays small?

For our customers: the fish have code 206161 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 received a shipment of beautiful Golden Nuggets that have a very broad, yellow seam, as it is known so far from L177 only, but have small spots on the body like L81. The picture taken immediately after the importation shows that the phenomenon is not restricted to a single specimen. We have stocked the magnificent fish under the provisionally name of L81 B – Broadseam.

L81 B is said to originate from the Rio Xingu, as all the Golden Nuggets do (L177 originates from the Rio Iriri, a tributary of the Rio Xingu). Our supplier has no further informations for us.

For our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 081B-2 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Baryancistrus: ancient Greek, means “heavy Ancistrus”; Ancistrus is another genus of catfish. xanthellus: ancient Greek, means “yellow”.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 our customers: the fish have code 265453 and 262454 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Suggestion of a common name: Whiptail pleco

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

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 limited numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 Schäfer

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: the fish have code 26480-L 089 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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 of our cute babies.

For our customers: the fish have code 262621 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

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

We received gorgeous, large Sturisoma robustum from Paraguay and the quirky S. nigrirostrum from Peru. In the Peruvian Whiptail S. nigrirostrum the male developes an upturned “nose”. The sense of this feature is unknown. For more information on S. robustum, please click http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archive/catfish-en/loricariidae-en/_en-3/.

For our customers: Sturisoma robustum has codes 294874 (12-15 cm) and 294875 (14-18 cm), S. nigrirostrum has code 294854 (12-15 cm) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

The needle suckers (Farlowella) belong to the most specialized Loricariids at all. Their whole life is dedicated to the trick to look like a stick.

Currently we received fantastic, up to 18 cm long Farlowella platorhynchus from Peru. There is a lot of variation observable regarding coloration. Males and females can be distinguished best by a look from the top: males have a much broader head. In contrast to many other Loricariids, Farlowella are not cave brooding, but spawn open on the surface of things, quite often on the glass of the tank. Here the male guards the eggs until the fry hatch.

Keeping Farlowella is not difficult, but one has to note some essential things. First of all, Farlowella are slow feeders. They are used to feed on Aufwuchs in the wild, and so the keeper has to make sure that the needle suckers get enough food. Tablet food and frozen Cyclops do very well. Also the gravel should be fine, best sand, for otherwise the fine food particles vanish too fast in the ground. Finally: please note that Farlowella are very bad swimmers, so they can become entangled easily in dense plants etc.. So furnish the tank for Farlowella only neatly arranged.

For our customers: the animals have code 253875 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Farlowella: dedication name for W. G. Farlow, former professor at Harvard University, USA. platorhynchus: from ancient Greek, means “with a broad snout”.

Suggestion of a common name: Broadsnouted Needle Sucker

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Currently we have wonderful flounder whiptail catfish from Peru in stock. We have two sizes, eg 9-12 and 10-14 cm, repectively. These sizes give only the body length, as in Planiloricaria there is a filament on the upper lobe of the caudal fin that is as long as the body! Maximum length given in literature is 35 cm. Nevertheless, the sexes can be distinguished even in our halfgrown fish. The ventral fins in males are – compared with those of the females – longer and more pointed.

These whiptail cats normally do not swim, but “walk” with their ventral fins. One should offer them fine sand as gravel in the aquarium, so that the fish are able to bury themselves completely. These fish feed basically on meat. They love moscito larvae, bloodworm, daphnia etc., but accept also dried food (flakes, granules). These fish are somewhat stiff and need large tanks which should leave a lot of free space at the bottom. Against conspecifics of similar size Planiloricaria are usually peaceful, but smaller specimens are often mobbed. Fish of other species are simply ignored. However, one should never keep these catfish together with fin nibbling species. In that case the long fin filaments of Planiloricaria will be damaged for sure.

For our customers: the fish have code 280303 and 280304 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Planiloricaria: Latin, means “flat Loricaria”; Loricaria is another genus of catfish. cryptodon: from ancient Greek, means “with a hidden tooth”.

Suggestion of a common name: Flounder whiptail catfish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer