 Cat-eLog Data Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pseudacanthicus histrix (Valenciennes, 1840) |
| Common Name | |
| Type Locality | No locality [=Brazil]. |
| Synonym(s) | Loricaria histrix, Rinelepis histrix |
| Pronunciation | SUE dah KAN thi cuss - hiss tricks |
| Etymology | Pseud- Greek: False, Acanthicus - Greek: Spiny, Thorny. Literally "False Acanthicus" referring to this genus being similar to, yet different from, Acanthicus. This specific epithet literally means hedgehog (histrix=porcupine or hedgehog) and refers to its numerous body spines. |
| Species Information | |
| Size | 800mm or 31.5" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp. |
| Sexing | Mature males have considerably more odontodal growth on most fins rays but the pectorals are most adorned. Females fill out quite considerably in relation to the slender males. |
| Habitat Information | |
| Distribution | South America: Negro and lower Amazon River basins. Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Negro (click on these areas to find other species found there)  (Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution) |
| Temperature | 24.0-27.0°C or 75.2-80.6°F (Show species within this range) |
| 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. |
| Furniture | Proportionally sized pieces of bogwood (the fish does not appear to particularly like rockwork) are a good idea as are equally dimensioned pipes. Plants are just a nuisance to this fish and while not orally molested, they tend to be battered by the fishes movement. |
| 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. |
| Further Information | |
| References | Hist. Nat. Poiss. v. 15 pp486 |
| Registered Keepers | None. |
| Breeding Reports | None. |
| More on Pseudacanthicus histrix | |
 | Look up Pseudacanthicus histrix on AquaticRepublic.com |
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| Hits | 12158 hits. |
| Last Update | 2008 May 25 12:40 (species record created: 2002 May 19 00:00) |
