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 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
