Baryancistrus sp. – Big White Spot Pleco – L142
As you can tell from the name, Baryancistrus sp. is not yet officially described. They have been given a placeholder: L142 or LDA33 so that they can be distinguished from other species. More explanation about this in the article L-Numbers and LDA-numbers? The explanation! They are also called Big White Spot Pleco.
Description
Baryancistrus sp. – Big White Spot Pleco – L142 is suitable for a community aquarium but can be very aggressive against other armored catfish, and against conspecifics in particular. This species is in fact fairly territorial: finding and maintaining caves, suitable for building a nest, is usually the stumbling block. More than one Big White Spot Pleco in a cramped tank can result in the death of one or more fish, although they can be kept together in a very spacious tank with lots of decoration.
Origin
South America: Rio Amazonas, North East Brazil.
Maximum Size: 25-30cm.
The aquarium
This large catfish species prefers a dimly lit aquarium with plenty of hiding places, like plants, driftwood, rocks and/or artificial caves. To keep several specimens of this species, or to keep this species together with other bottom dwellers, an aquarium of 150x50cm is required. This species is quite territorial. In the absence of suitable hiding places or too little space, the Snowball Pleco can behave very aggressively towards other bottom dwellers. If it is the only bottom inhabitant in the aquarium, an aquarium of 120x45cm. is sufficient. Juveniles can be kept temporarily in smaller aquariums without any problems, as long as there are sufficient hiding places. A strong filter is important, as this fish produces a lot of waste due to its almost insatiable hunger.
Although this species, once acclimatized, is an adaptable and strong fish, like most other Baryancistrus species, it often does not grow or only grows very slowly. This can be explained by the fact that in most cases the posture in captivity does not take place under natural conditions. The Snowball Pleco naturally occurs in shallow water, often strongly heated by direct sunlight, with a lot of current and high oxygen content. Under these conditions, the stones and pebbles between which this species is found are more or less permanently overgrown with an organic layer consisting of plant and animal components (“Aufwuchs”). The high water temperature ensures a fast metabolism, with the result that these animals spend a very large part of the day looking for food. It is therefore not surprising that this kind of (not easy to reproduce!) conditions are required to achieve a natural attitude (and growth), and that this fish is especially suitable for a special aquarium.
Temperature: 25 °C – 32°C
pH: 5.5 – 7.5
Diet
Given the large sucking mouth, covered with many very small teeth, this species is a so-called “Aufwuchs” eater. Aufwuchs is the organic layer, partly plant-based, partly consisting of small organisms (crustaceans, freshwater sponges, small insects, insect eggs and larvae, and plankton), which forms on submerged surfaces, and which is grazed by this Armored Catfish.
Once acclimatized, the Snowball Pleco is otherwise not very picky, and in most cases will feed on both plant-based food (blanched vegetables, tablets, algae, and, to the dismay of many aquarists, also aquarium plants) and meat food (shrimp, krill, mussels, mosquito larvae, bloodworms). However, the emphasis should be on vegetable food, as it is closer to the natural diet, and because a diet that is too high in protein can lead to digestive problems, blockages and even death.
Comments
Baryancistrus species are notorious for the difficulty of acclimatization: a significant proportion – over 50% in some species – of imported specimens from this genus die during the first month in captivity due to stress and malnutrition. Another problem of recently imported specimens is the deterioration of the intestinal bacterial flora, which has been disrupted by transport (resulting in digestive problems and a strongly reduced absorption of extremely important nutrients, especially during the first weeks). Fish offered in stores must have been quarantined at the importer/trader for a minimum of several weeks to ensure reasonable survival rates. This is not the case with fish with sunken eyes and abdomen, and unfortunately, more often than not, the animals will die within a few weeks.
Once home, this fish should be kept in a quarantine aquarium for a number of weeks to allow the animal to get used to life in captivity and the local water values. During this period it should also be checked whether the armored catfish eats well: in the aquarium – depending on the food offered – red to dark brown colored thin, solid strings of feces (also called spaghettis by hobbyists) can be found, as a sign that it eats the food. In addition, it can be determined which types of food are accepted and which are not. Once the fish is eating well, is active and alert, and looks healthy (good coloring, bulging belly, slightly bulging, clear eyes), it can be transferred to a larger tank.
But the problems don’t stop there: however vulnerable Baryancistrus species may be during the first weeks, once acclimatized it is often a completely different story. Once the fish is used to its new environment, it will claim a territory, and also defend it against intruders. Congeners in particular are not tolerated, but other bottom dwellers can also have a hard time. Fights can be quite fierce, and in some cases, it is advisable to separate the fish to avoid unnecessary stress and injury. However, with the help of sufficient hiding places and breaking lines of sight, the territory problem can usually be solved without the need to move one or more fish.
Video
Authors
Jonas Hansel – Piranha-info.com
Copyright images
Jonas Hansel – Piranha-info.com
