Home · Loricariidae · Cauca bristlenose
Cauca bristlenose (Lasiancistrus caucanus) — Loricariidae

Cauca bristlenose

Lasiancistrus caucanus
Family: Loricariidae

The Cauca bristlenose (Lasiancistrus caucanus) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
23.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Cauca basin
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Cauca bristlenose?

Get the app

Description

The Cauca bristlenose is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from the Cauca basin of Colombia. The species grows to about 23 cm and has a flattened body covered with bony plates, a sucker mouth and, in mature males, bristle-like outgrowths (odontodes) on the head and pectoral fins. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lives in flowing rivers and rasps algae and growth from stones and wood with its sucker mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cauca bristlenose?

The Cauca bristlenose has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Bony plates, a sucker mouth and brush-like odontodes in males

Where does the Cauca bristlenose live?

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

How big does the Cauca bristlenose get?

The Cauca bristlenose grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Cauca bristlenose dangerous to humans?

No, the Cauca bristlenose is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Cauca bristlenose edible?

The Cauca bristlenose is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Cauca bristlenose?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Cauca bristlenose is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Cauca bristlenose verified
Scientific name
Lasiancistrus caucanus
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Cauca basin verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and biofilm inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Nocturnal algae-grazing armoured catfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Bony plates, a sucker mouth and brush-like odontodes in males sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Lasiancistrus

More from the family Loricariidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Cauca bristlenose?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Cauca bristlenose is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Cauca bristlenose? Get the app