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Scientific Name Ancistrus erinaceus  (Valenciennes, 1840)
Common Name
Type Locality Chile.
Synonym(s) Hypostomus erinaceus
Pronunciation an SISS truss
Etymology The name Ancistrus is derived from the Greek word agkistron, meaning hook, in reference to the interopercular odontodes that are hooked. This specific epithet literally translates as hedgehog (Latin, Erinaceus=hedgehog).
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 75mm or 3" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Mature males and sometimes females have soft tentacles (bushy fleshy growths) on the snout - this is unique to the genus Ancistrus.
Sexing Males develop soft tentacles on the head and while sometimes females also do, it is never to the grand extent of those found on that of the conspecific male.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution South America.
Chile Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category
Not Evaluated
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Ancistrus should be fed mainly on vegetarian foods. Prepared foods include algae wafers and spirulina based sinking food. Vegetables such as courgette/zucchini, and (English) cucumber are an excellent addition to the diet, along with the odd, small amount of more meaty foods. User data.
Compatibility A good complement to most aquariums, they are not aggressive to other species. Males may fight over territory if kept in too small a tank.
Suggested Tankmates Appropriate with most community fish that aren't overly big or aggressive.
Breeding Unreported.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Histoire naturelle des poissons v. 15, pp 510.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There is no record of this fish being seen.
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Ancistrus erinaceus QR code LFS label creator
ARN ref:1.4.4.1973
Last Update 2019 Oct 09 05:07 (species record created: 2008 Apr 28 11:50)