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Mountain bristlenose (Ancistrus montanus) — Loricariidae

Mountain bristlenose

Ancistrus montanus
Family: Loricariidae

The Mountain bristlenose (Ancistrus montanus) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Mountain bristlenose is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of South America. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated body and a broad sucker mouth; adult males bear branched, fleshy skin tentacles on the snout. It comes from fast-flowing streams in the Andean foothills of northern South America and has a yellow-brown body with dark markings. With its mouth it rasps algae, growth and wood. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mountain bristlenose?

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

Where does the Mountain bristlenose live?

The Mountain bristlenose lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Mountain bristlenose get?

The Mountain bristlenose grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Mountain bristlenose dangerous to humans?

No, the Mountain bristlenose is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Berg-borstelmeerval sourced
English name
Mountain bristlenose sourced
Scientific name
Ancistrus montanus
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
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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