- eats algae coverings
- peaceful herbivore
- for larger aquariums
- great for socializing
Antenna catfish - Ancistrus sp.
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- Item no: 11077
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from over 3,000 reviews "| Water values: | soft to hard |
| Fish group: | Catfish |
| Temperature: | 18-28 °C |
| Visual effect: | interesting body shape |
| Feature: | Algae eater |
| with fish?: | Yes, with peaceful fish |
| Diet: | limnivorous - growth eater (algae) |
| Final size: | > 12cm |
| Pelvic region: | Below |
| Aquarium size: | 100 l (approx. 80cm) |
| Origin: | South America |
| Breeding: | simply |
| with dwarf crabs?: | conditional* (see description) |
| with shrimps?: | with dwarf shrimps, offspring is not eaten |
| Planting possible?: | Yes |
| with snails/shells?: | Yes |
| Difficulty: | 1 - Simple |
| Behavior: | Normal |
| with large crabs?: | No |
| with crabs?: | No |
The Antennae Catfish (Ancistrus sp.) is also affectionately known as the Windshield Smoocher, or Cleaner Fish and Windshield Cleaner. It is also known as L144. Ancistrus are a member of the loricariid catfish family and are originally from South America. They are dark brown with a lighter dot pattern on the body and lighter stripes in the fins. Very characteristic is their large sucking mouth, with which they tirelessly scrape off algae and biofilms from hard surfaces and thus keep the glass clean.
The rather nocturnal Antenna Catfish grows to a length of about 14 cm and therefore needs a somewhat larger aquarium with an edge length of at least 80 cm. These useful algae-eating aquarium fish can live up to 19 years.
The sexes can be distinguished very well: Males of the Antennae Catfish have antler-like appendages on their heads that look a bit like antennae and have given it its name. In the females, these appendages are only very small and somewhat cuspidate. The Antennae Catfish is not a group fish, single keeping is possible without further ado. The males form territories and defend them against conspecifics.
Breeding the Antenna Catfish in the aquarium is incredibly easy. Antenna catfish are cave breeders, the males guard and fan the clutch until the young hatch. Because the Antenna Catfish is so prolific, you should think carefully beforehand if you really want to keep a pair, it is not easy to pass on the young.
Antenna catfish do not need swimming space, but you should offer them many hiding places in the form of roots or catfish burrows made of clay. They do well in soft to very hard water, water temperature can be 20-28 °C.
Ancistrus sp. is a herbivore: besides algae cover and biofilms, the animals need fibers. They get these by scraping off roots. In an aquarium with Antennae Catfish there must always be at least one real wood root! Also brown autumn leaves are accepted very gladly as permanent food. In addition, Antennae Catfish also eat all kinds of scalded and peeled vegetables (zucchini, pumpkin, tomato, peas, spinach, nettle, ...), special tablet food for bottom-dwelling fish, which sinks quickly, and now and then some frozen food.
If Ancistren do not find enough food, they give to the plants. Especially the large leaves of Echinodorus are gladly rasped off and then show the typical feeding damage. The plant eating can be prevented somewhat with green food and fresh food.
As a herbivore, the very peaceful Antenna Catfish is ideal for socialization with shrimp and snails in the aquarium. Since it occupies the same aquarium region (the bottom) as crayfish, conflicts are unavoidable here, especially since Ancistrus also lives in burrows.
Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Catfish Feed for all aufwuchs feeding sucking catfish in the aquarium is a balanced tablet food, which does not cloud the water and the fish like to eat. The catfish tablets also contain NatureHolic active ingredient complexes, which provide the sucking catfish with everything they need for a strong immune system, healthy growth and great, contrasting coloration. As a snack, supplemental food or vacation food we recommend CatfishPlates.
Our plant recommendation: For planting, use NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.
Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.
Minimum order quantity: 2 pieces
Size: 3-4 cm
| Scientific name | Ancistrus sp. |
| German name: | Antennae catfish |
| Difficulty level: | for beginners |
| Origin/Distribution: | South America |
| Coloration: | dark brown with lighter spots on the body and lighter stripes in the fins |
| Age expectancy | approx. 19 years |
| Water parameters: | GH 3 to 25, KH 3 to 20, pH 5 to 7.5, temperature 20 to 28 °C |
| Tank size: | from 100 l |
| Food | Herbivore, needs additional wood |
| Breeding | very easy |
| Behavior | very peaceful |
| Group size | Single keeping or pair keeping |
| Additional information | Ten typical aquarium fish for beginners and alternatives to them, Tips for acclimating fish to the aquarium, Feeding aquarium fish properly - cheap food and what it can do |
- Item no: 11077
- EAN No.: 7427066472030
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