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Formoso cave bristlenose (Ancistrus formoso) — Loricariidae

Formoso cave bristlenose

Ancistrus formoso
Family: Loricariidae

The Formoso cave bristlenose (Ancistrus formoso) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Formoso cave bristlenose is a bristlenose catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of cave streams of inland Brazil. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated body, an inferior sucker mouth and, in adult males, a bush of fleshy tentacles on the snout. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it clings to wood and stones and rasps algae, biofilm and wood. The male guards the eggs in a burrow. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Formoso cave bristlenose?

The Formoso cave bristlenose has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Formoso cave bristlenose live?

The Formoso cave bristlenose lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Formoso cave bristlenose get?

The Formoso cave bristlenose grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Formoso cave bristlenose dangerous to humans?

No, the Formoso cave bristlenose is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Formoso-baardmeerval sourced
English name
Formoso cave bristlenose sourced
Scientific name
Ancistrus formoso
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ancistrus

More from the family Loricariidae

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