Ancistrus cryptophthalmus breeding

[LitosCBR]

Hi,
(long time no visiting your very good site)

I just write to report an update needed to Ancistrus cryptophthalmus info (http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/sp ... es_id=1139) regarding to aquarium breeding:

Reproductive behavior, development and eye regression in the cave armored catfish, Ancistrus cryptophthalmus Reis, 1987 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), breed in laboratory
Author(s): Secutti S (Secutti, Sandro)1, Trajano E (Trajano, Eleonora)1
Source: NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Pages: 479-490 Published: JUL-SEP 2009
Abstract: The troglobitic armored catfish, Ancistrus cryptophthalmus (Loricariidae, Ancistrinae) is known from four caves in the Sao Domingos karst area, upper rio Tocantins basin, Central Brazil. These populations differ in general body shape and degree of reduction of eyes and of pigmentation. The small Passa Tres population (around 1,000 individuals) presents the most reduced eyes, which are not externally visible in adults. A small group of Passa Tres catfish, one male and three females, reproduced spontaneously thrice in laboratory, at the end of summertime in 2000, 2003 and 2004. Herein we describe the reproductive behavior during the 2003 event, as well as the early development of the 2003 and 2004 offsprings, with focus on body growth and ontogenetic regression of eyes. The parental care by the male, which includes defense of the rock shelter where the egg clutch is laid, cleaning and oxygenation of eggs, is typical of many loricariids. On the other hand, the slow development, including delayed eye degeneration, low body growth rates and high estimated longevity (15 years or more) are characteristic of precocial, or K-selected, life cycles. In the absence of comparable data for close epigean relatives (Ancistrus spp.), it is not possible to establish whether these features are an autapomorphic specialization of the troglobitic A. cryptophthalmus or a plesiomorphic trait already present in the epigean ancestor, possibly favoring the adoption of the life in the food-poor cave environment. We briefly discuss the current hypotheses on eye regression in troglobitic vertebrates.

In fact, I have just seen you yet knew that: http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... us#p169471




Congratulations to all the team at PCF!

Litos

[MatsP]

I will find the original document and see if it states anything that we can use - otherwise we can just put "has been bred in captivity with little details as to the conditions" - but that's not particularly helpful.

Of course, this is not a fish seen in the trade - at all, I think.

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Mats

[LitosCBR]

Here you have the paper: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/ni/v7n3/a16v7n3.pdf

data: 100-l tank (bottom area = 1825 cm2)
biological filter and limestone blocks for sheltering
fed once a week with commercial food for bottom fish (Alcon)
constant darkness (except during the maintenance activities)
temp: 17 to 25ºC (yearly variation; daily variation negligible)

[Shane]

You will have to ask him to be certain, but Lee Finley may have also bred this fish when he was keeping them some years ago.
-Shane

[MatsP]

In the link in the first post, Lee's achievements with this fish are recorded.

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Mats

[MatsP]

I have updated the Cat-eLog with a brief description.

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Mats