Ancistrus albino: description and content

Ancistrus albino is one of the most unusual representatives of the world of aquarium fauna. The natural habitat of these exotic benthic fish is the Amazon. Among aquarists, albino ancistrus catfish have gained particular popularity due to their original appearance and amazing unpretentiousness. What are these fish? What are their sizes? What conditions do they need?

Albino ancistrus are small ray-finned fish from the chain-mail catfish family. In their natural habitat, their size can reach 15-18 centimeters. However, when kept at home, they rarely grow more than 6-7 centimeters in length. It is noteworthy that the size of these unusual creatures largely depends on the temperature of the water in the aquarium. The higher this indicator is, the smaller this fish will have.

This type of aquarium catfish has an elongated and flattened body, a large head with a wide mouth. In this area, they have large lips with small bulges that facilitate the process of eating algae from hard surfaces.

The females themselves usually do not have such growths, but if they are, then they are very small in size and only on the sides of the head.

The coloration of the albino ancistrus is strikingly different from the traditional catfish coloration. The body color palette of these creatures ranges from almost white and light yellow to pink and lemon gold.The fins of the albino ancistrus are transparent, have the same shade as the whole body.

The breeders managed to get a very original variety of albino ancistrus with veil fins. During movement, the long flowing fins and a veil tail of these fish flutter beautifully in the water column, giving ancistrus a special charm.

Spending a significant part of their time in shelters at the bottom, they do not interfere with other inhabitants of the aquarium, do not enter into conflicts with them, and do not show aggression. This type of catfish gets along quite easily with fish of other species. However, as evidenced by observations, male albino ancistrus can conflict with each other. This usually occurs in large flocks during the mating season.

These fish have a well-developed sense of territoriality. They do not claim leadership in the entire aquarium, but these catfish are trying to protect their territories.

Like all representatives of catfish, the albino ancistrus leads a bottom lifestyle, preferring to hide among stones and shelters during the daytime. With the onset of darkness, these creatures increase their activity, going out in search of food. The average life span of males reaches 5 years, of females - 3-4 years.

Albino ancistrus are considered one of the most unpretentious representatives of the world of aquarium fauna. However, for their comfortable existence and well-being, you should still adhere to some recommendations regarding the conditions of detention.

So, these fish do not feel comfortable in cramped small aquariums... To ensure their comfort, a reservoir with a capacity of at least 60 liters is required. In the wild, albino ancistrus live in cool bodies of water with little current. With home content, you need to recreate similar conditions for them.

These tireless workers are able to spend a significant part of their time at work, cleaning the bottom and walls of the aquarium, decorative elements and plants from algae. For this reason, experienced aquarists do not recommend planting fragile plants with brittle foliage, such as pinwort, in an ancistrus tank.

To decorate an aquarium with these catfish, varieties with hard foliage and strong roots are suitable. Such plants include echinodorus, marsilia, round-leaved lindernia.

It should be borne in mind that the antennae of these catfish are very sensitive. In search of food, they feel with them every centimeter of space. Therefore, in the design of the aquarium, sharp stones, driftwood and decor with cutting edges should be avoided.

Albino ancistrus are sensitive to the increase in the level of nitrates in the water, formed during the decomposition of waste and feed residues. To reduce the harmful effects of nitrates on aquarium inhabitants, a reliable filtration system must be installed in the tank.

In addition, it should be borne in mind that many bottom fish often experience a lack of oxygen, for which they have to rise to the surface of the water... Oxygen starvation can be prevented by installing aeration equipment and a compressor in the aquarium.

As a bottom fish, ancistrus catfish do not like bright lighting too much.

In the wild, these creatures feed on algae and the remains of decomposed organic matter. When kept at home, they willingly consume both dry and live food. When feeding catfish, it is important to ensure that the food settles to the bottom, and does not float on the surface of the water. Otherwise, the fish will remain hungry.

It is curious that albino ancistrus do not refuse plant foods. So, occasionally they can be fed with cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce or spinach. Uneaten food from the aquarium after a meal should be removed without leaving any residue.

So, scalars and cockerels, guppies and swordtails, zebrafish and barbs will become good neighbors for them.

There are no special problems with the reproduction of these catfish. When keeping several different-sex fish in the aquarium, their owner can be sure that he will soon see the offspring of his catfish. If you create comfortable conditions for these exotic creatures, then rather quickly their number will begin to increase.

How to contain ancistrus, see below.