AquaticRepublic.com - Pseudacanthicus sp. (L273) (Loricariidae) All Fishes

Adult
Close-up of head
Close-up of suckermouth
Ventral view
Close-up of mouth showing teeth
Close-up of caudal fin
Close-up of dorsal fin
Courting
Courting
Courting
Courting
Courting
Courting
Courting
Juvenile
Itaituba, Middle Rio Tapajós
Habitat: Itaituba, Middle Rio Tapajós

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	Pseudacanthicus sp. (L273)
Common Names	L273, Titanicus Pleco Tapajos-leopardsugemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Rio Tapajós, Pará, Brazil
Pronunciation	SUE dah KAN thi cuss
Etymology	Pseud- Greek: False, Acanthicus - Greek: Spiny, Thorny. Literally "False Acanthicus" referring to this genus being similar to, yet different from, Acanthicus.
Species Information
Size	300mm or 11.8" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	The German common name for this genus is ''Cactus Pleco''. A good name! Pseudacanthicus is a member of the Acanthicus clade. Species of the Acanthicus clade are distinguished from other Loricariidae species by the presence of (1) longitudinal rows of keels (pointed odontodes) along the body sides; (2) eight or more dorsal-fin rays (vs. six or seven in most other loricariids except Pterygoplichthys, Chaetostoma, Pogonopoma and Pseudancistrus pectegenitor); (3) seven to eight infraorbitals (vs. usually five or six); (4) five anal-fin branched rays (vs. usually four); and (5) presence of hypertrophied odontodes along the snout margin (vs. hypertrophied odontodes absent in other loricariids except Isbrueckerichthys and Pareiorhaphis, in Neoplecostominae; Panaque and Pseudancistrus and Neblinichthys, in Ancistrini; and most dimorphic males of Loricariinae). Within the Acanthicus group, Pseudacanthicus is distinguished by the presence of two small plates in the posterior area of the compound pterotic (vs. one median plate or plate absent), and by the presence of narrow premaxillae with a small number of elongate and curved teeth (except from Leporacanthicus). A variably marked species, the best examples of which can be unbelievably beautifully marked. Other individuals are no where near as striking in appearance but all can be identified by an unusual almost metallic sheen displayed on the back half of the body of the fish.
Sexing	Males appear to display the brighter more cosmetically attractive patterning. Females are more drab even from an early age.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Rio Tapajós, Pará, Brazil Amazon, Lower Amazon, Tapajós (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
pH	6.0 - 7.0
Temperature	23.0-28.0°C or 73.4-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Clean, clear well-oxygenated water is required for this species.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Carnivore although not a predator, prawns and chopped mussel appear favourites and promote favourable growth. Some vegetable should also be provided and thus balances diet. User data.
Furniture	Requires a suitable sized cave, preferably wood, and is quite secretive.
Compatibility	Generally peaceful but territorial from a young age. Some large specimens are aggressively territorial and may cause problems if housed with other large nocturnal fish.
Suggested Tankmates	The temptation with large tough Loricariids is to keep them with other large tough fish such as Oscars or other brutish characters. This actually works quite well with most omnivorous or mainly vegetarian plecos. Pseudacanthicus despite their defensive protection can be bullied by faster moving fish of similar size. They are carnivores and only eat vegetables when their preferred food is unavailable. The amount of waste produced depends on their diet but is considerably less than a Panaque or Pterygoplichthys of similar size.
Breeding	Unknown although almost certainly a cave / pipe spawner.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Registered Keepers	There is no registered keeper.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 12 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up P. sp. (L273) on PlanetCatfish.com
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.40.234
Last Update	2020 Oct 02 06:46 (species record created: 2001 May 05 00:00)