Ancistrus is a genus of nocturnal freshwater fish in the family Loricariidae of order Siluriformes, native to freshwater habitats in South America and Panama. Fish of this genus are common in the aquarium trade where they are known as bushynose or bristlenose catfish. In the aquarium hobby they are often referred to as bushynose or bristlenose plecos instead, but this may lead to confusion as "pleco" usually is used for Hypostomus plecostomus and its allies and is often used as a catchall term for any loricariids remotely resembling that species.
Hypostomus plecostomus, also known as the suckermouth catfish or the common pleco, is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the armored catfish family (Loricariidae), named for the longitudinal rows of armor-like scutes that cover the upper parts of the head and body. Although the name Hypostomus plecostomus is often used to refer to common plecostomus sold in aquarium shops, most are actually members of other genera.
Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish, with 92 genera and just over 680 species. Loricariids originate from freshwater habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are noted for the bony plates covering their bodies and their suckermouths. Several genera are sold as "plecos", notably the suckermouth catfish, Hypostomus plecostomus, and are popular as aquarium fish.
The Hypostominae are a subfamily of catfishes of the family Loricariidae. Most members are restricted to tropical and subtropical South America, but there are also several species in southern Central America. Hypostomus plecostomus, which is popular in the aquarium trade, has been introduced to several regions far from its native range.
Ancistrus hoplogenys is a species of armored catfish native to Argentina, Brazil, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay, where it occurs in the basins of the Amazon River, the Essequibo River, and the Paraguay River. It has also been reported from Suriname. This species grows to a length of 15.8 centimetres (6.2 in) SL. In the aquarium hobby, this fish is sometimes known as the spotted or starlight bristlenose pleco, although it may also be referred to by its L-number, which is L059.
Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus is one of several tropical fish commonly known as Orinoco sailfin catfish, plecostomus. It belongs to the armored catfish family (Loricariidae). Named for its sail-like dorsal fin, the part of its scientific name multiradiatus means "many-rayed" and refers to the rays of the dorsal fin. P. multiradiatus is one of a number of species commonly referred to as the common pleco by aquarists.
Peckoltia sabaji is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the basins of the Rupununi, the Essequibo River, and the Takutu River in Guyana, as well as the basins of the Casiquiare canal, the Rio Negro, the Cinaruco River, and the Orinoco in Venezuela. It is usually found among boulders in medium to large rivers. The species reaches 19.8 cm SL and is of disputed classification.
Peckoltia vittata is a species of catfish belonging to the subfamily Hypostominae of the family Loricariidae.
Peckoltia multispinis, commonly known as the bristlemouth catfish, is a species of small freshwater fish in the genus Peckoltia of the catfish family Loricariidae. It has the L-number L049. It is possibly a junior synonym for Peckoltia vittata. However, the online Encyclopedia of Life lists this fish as Lasiancistrus multispinis. The California Academy of Sciences lists Peckoltia multispinis as the currently correct name. This species is not to be confused with the valid but unrelated species Ancistrus multispinis, and although A. multispinis has been used as a name for both this species and the one it is currently used for, A. multispinis was initially described as a member of the now-invalid genus Xenocara and was classified under that genus when this species was first described as a member of Ancistrus. Because of this, Ancistrus multispinis is a valid name, but not one that should be used for P. multispinis.
Aphanotorulus ammophilus, also known as the black spotted pleco, is a species of benthopelagic tropical freshwater catfish in the family Loricariidae native to Venezuela and Colombia, specifically the Río Orinoco drainage. Due to an initial erroneous publication, A. ammophilus was initially placed into Hypostomus instead of Aphanotorulus. However, because this species shows sexual dimorphism, has a relatively flatter shape, and has a jagged posterior edge of its oral disc, it was placed in the genus Aphanotorulus. It sometimes appears in the aquarium trade, where it is known as the cute pleco, although it may be referred to by its L-numbers, L094 or L123. A. ammophilus reaches 16.1 cm (6.3 in) SL.
Ancistrus maculatus is a tropical fish belonging to the armored catfish family (Loricariidae). The name Ancistrus is derived from the Greek word meaning "hook", akgistron, which refers to the interopercular odontodes found in members of the genus. This fish has the characteristic armored plates of its family and can reach 11.8 cm in standard length when fully grown.
Ancistrus leoni is a species of catfish native to South America, specifically the Amazon basin and the Orinoco Basin.
Ancistrus macrophthalmus is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, specifically found in the Orinoco River and its lower tributaries in Venezuela. The species reaches 7.9 cm (3.1 in) SL. It is occasionally seen in the aquarium trade, where it is one of multiple species sometimes referred to as "medusa plecos".
Ancistrus aguaboensis is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it is known from the upper Tocantins River basin. The area in which the species occurs is characterized by riffles and a primarily rocky substrate, although some amounts of gravel and sand are present. The species reaches 6.7 cm SL. It sometimes appears in the aquarium trade, where it is usually either known as the Aguaboa ancistrus, the Aguaboa pleco, or by its L-number, L032.
Ancistrus parecis is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Tapajós River basin in Brazil. Its specific epithet refers to the Parecis Plateau, where the type specimen was collected. The species reaches 6 cm (2.4 in) SL.
Ancistrus triradiatus is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it is known from the drainage basins of the Orinoco, the Los Guayos River, Lake Valencia, and Lake Maracaibo. The species reaches 9.2 cm (3.6 in) SL. It sometimes appears in the aquarium trade, where it is known as the gold-spot or three-ray bristlenose pleco.
Ancistrus nudiceps is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Takutu River basin in the upper Branco River drainage in Guyana, and the Cuyuni River in Venezuela. The species reaches 7.9 cm (3.1 in) SL.
Spectracanthicus zuanoni is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Xingu River basin in the state of Pará in Brazil. It is usually found in areas up to 2 m deep with strong currents and rocky substrates, where it is often seen hiding beneath rocks. It is known to occur individually or in groups of three, with juveniles being found alongside other loricariid species, such as Ancistrus ranunculus, Baryancistrus xanthellus, Hopliancistrus tricornis, Parancistrus nudiventris, Peckoltia vittata, and its congener Spectracanthicus punctatissimus.
Pterygoplichthys weberi is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the basins of the Amazon River, the Japurá River, the Marañón River, and the Ucayali River in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The species reaches 19.7 cm in standard length and is known to be a facultative air-breather.
Ancistomus snethlageae is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Tapajós basin in Brazil. The species reaches 22 cm (8.7 in) in total length. Although originally described as a species of Ancistrus in 1911 by Franz Steindachner and subsequently reclassified in the genera Hemiancistrus, Lasiancistrus, and Peckoltia, a 2015 review conducted by Jonathan W. Armbruster, David C. Werneke, and Milton Tan listed the species as valid within Ancistomus.
