Ancistrus sp. “L255”

Order: Siluriformes
Suborder: Loricarioidei
Family: Loricariidae
Subfamily: Hypostominae
Genus: Ancistrus
Species: not described yet

Ancistrus sp. "L255" is really similar to the Ancistrus ranunculus "L34", from the same habitat. If those two L-numbers are different species or just color variations has still to be cleared.
In body shape, appearance they are similar to Ancistrus ranunculus. The big difference between them is the coloration. "L255" shows a really dark black ground coloration with round, bright white spots all over the body.

Also this species hides in narrow crevices, which explains the extreme flat body shape. The tentacles on the head can be seen in males and females. Males show them more numerous, longer and branched at the end. Also the hooks on the gills are longer with males.

Ancistrus sp. "L255" is also known under its synonym "Spotted Medusa Pleco".

In the wild Ancistrus sp. "L255" lives in the Rio Xingu in shallow waters. There are medium to faster currents.

Due to the flat build, they can get into narrow crevices and caves in which larger armored catfish cannot enter. This is particularly important when looking for food. In the dry season, they can be found in waters no deeper than three meters. There they often sit together in bigger groups.

Usually the water is very rich in oxygen. You should therefore pay attention to this when keeping them in the aquarium. They prefer warm water between 26 and 32 degrees celsius. In the Rio Xingu, Ancistrus sp. "L255" shares the caves and crevices with Hypancistrus zebra “L46” and Oligancistrus sp. “L20”.

Ancistrus sp. "L255" is omnivorous. Research shows that there are about 30 species of algae in their diet. But also, based on the teeth, it can be said that, unlike most other Ancistrus species, they also eat carnal food (carnivorous), like crustaceans, insects and other invertebrates. The algae are mainly grazed from the stones. Freshwater sponges are also a big part of their diet.

The aquarium has to be at least 100 - 150 cm in length.

A high oxygen content and plenty of hiding places with narrow crevices are important for this species, as are regular water changes. This makes "L255" a challenging fish, that is not recommended for beginners. They are quite shy and rarely show up during the day. A. sp. "L255" prefers low lighting.
They are very peaceful, so they can be kept well in an aquarium with other species, as long as they do not stress the “L255” too much. When this catfish is stressed, it will show white spots all over its body and a slightly brown-reddish colored head.

The sexing of Ancistrus sp. "L255" applies to the sexing of Ancistrus ranunculus "L34".

If you compare male and female from the side, there are already numerous differences to spot. Even though the general body shape might be the same with both sexes, several body parts are really typical for each sex.

The head of females look from the side more convex, where as the male shows a more straight head profile.

The biggest difference are, as with almost all Ancistrus species, the tentacles on the head. Ancistrus sp. "L255" is a very special pleco and can show a really big tentacle growth on the head. What's remarkable: the female also shows them, which is only the case with a few species of this genus.
Anyhow males always have more numerous and longer ones, which split up on the ends. Males show several rows of tentacles, where as  the female shows mostly only one row.

The next big difference are the odontodes on the gills. Males use them mostly for territory fights, which is why they tend to be way bigger than females odontodes in this particular area.

The odontodes on the pectoral fins are quite strong pronounced in both sexes. Males tend to have a thicker hard ray on the pectoral fins.

Also from top, sexing is mostly not so difficult. Males have a broader and bigger head in comparison to the body, than females. This makes their body look shorter.

From top also the amount and length of the tentacles are good visible. Females show a rounder head profile, males show a more pointy head.

From underneath two things can be said. Atypical for plecos the male shows a bigger, rounder papilla. With closer inspection, again yellow dots can be seen around the females papilla. This is mostly only difficult to see with the bare eyes. Close-up photographs highlight those dots better.

"L255" has presumable the same breeding behaviour as "L34". The eggs are laid in narrow crevices, where they get fertilized from the male. The male then takes care of the egg batch, till the fry hatch. Eggs don't stick to the substrate, when the water parameters are not optimal. This has been observed several times with these L-numbers.

For breeding in tanks, high oxygen levels, strong current and soft, warm water is needed. Plecos of this kind prefer to spawn in special crevice - shaped pleco caves or between stone plates.