Breeding Ancistrus Gold (Ancistrus Sp. Gold) In The Aquarium

Location

This freshwater fish probably is a result of breeding in artificial environment. It is kind of hybrid of few different species.

Body description

Colour of the body is yellow-orange with lighter spots. There is also an albino version (with red iris), yellow version (with dark iris) and version of this fish with elongated pelvic, dorsal and caudal fins. These fish have wide pelvic and pectoral fins and high dorsal fin. This species has a sucker-mouth and defensive spikes on both sides of the head. Sex of the fish you can recognize when it is sexually matured. Male has a fleshy, long and bushy tentacles on his head which look like antlers. Female may have the tentacles but they are small and they are only around her mouth.

Temperament and behaviour

This is quiet, peaceful and friendly fish. It is mostly active in the evening and at night so you should feed them then. It hides in the dark places during the day. These fish should be kept with peaceful species. Males are territorial towards each other, so you need large aquarium if you want to keep more males. This species likes to eat algae. A food of animal origin you serve in small amounts.

Aquarium decoration

This species prefers tanks with wide-leaves plants, dimmed light, soft substrate, a lot of hiding-places among rocks, caves, roots. You need an effective filtration system and partial water exchanges should be done regularly. You should not use the net to move the fish because you may harm it. These fish are sensitive to water conditions and fluctuations of water parameters.

Breeding

This is an oviparous species. You can breed it in general or breeding tank. You can stimulate fish to spawn by increasing water temperature, reducing water pH and water hardness, abundant feeding and bigger (about 50-70%) partial water changes every few days. Male chooses place where female will lay eggs, cleans it and protects against intruders. This place is often in a pot, shell coconut, pcv pipe or cave. Male invites female. She swims into the nest and lays eggs there. Male immediately fertilizes them after female leaves the nest. Male takes care and protects the nest, eggs and offspring. He can stay in the nest for several days. The eggs hatch after 5 days. The larvae are in the nest until they consume all the supplies from their yolk sacs. The fry starts to swim and feed 2-3 days later. The fry can live in total darkness and it is sensitive to water parameters changes.