Ancistrus megacanthus

Widholzer, Borsoi, Reis & Lehmann, 2024
Ancistrus megacanthus
mega (gr.) - great; akanthos (gr.) - spin; because of the large pectoral fin ray
 
Family
Loricariidae
 
Subfamily
Hypostominae
 
Tribe
Ancistrini
 
Group
Ancistrus
 
Genus
Ancistrus
Synonyms
unknown
IUCN Red List:
least concern
Length (total)
approx.  17 cm
Standard length (documented)
124.4 mm
Recommended tank size
100 cm
rio Vacacaí near São Gabriel, arroio Cambaizinho, arroio Pessegueiro

Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil

arroio Santa Bárbara | rio Vacacaí → rio Jacuí → rio Guaíba → lagoa dos Patos → Atlantic SE

[ -30.455,-54.374 ]
Map to Ancistrus megacanthus
High above sea level
~100 m
Flow
strong
Substrate
gravel
 
Ancistrus - overview of habitats
Water values South America
Nutrition (mostly): omnivore
 
Ancistrus - Overview of the natural diet
Eats plants
not known
Type of keeping
Keeping in (small) groups is recommended. Individual keeping is possible.
from genus: The males have more and longer tentacle on the head. Often females have only short tentacle/stublles anlong the mouth.
 
To distinguish the sexes
Caves
from genus: Standard
unknown
 
 
 
Anal fin
Caudal fin


Dorsal fin
Pectoral fins
Pelvic fins
i / 4 rays
14 soft rays
straight
little longer at the bottom than at the top
II / 7 rays
I / 6 rays
i / 5 rays
 
Ancistrus - overview of fins
Not on the positive list of Brazil in 2012 : The positive list of Brazil
Not on the negative list of Brazil from 2020 : The negative list of Brazil
Pic. 2: Ancistrus megacanthus
Pic. 3: Ancistrus megacanthus, dorsal, lateral and ventral views of holotype, MCP 19582, male, 96.8 mm SL, Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, São Gabriel, rio Vacacaí on road RS-630, tributary to rio Jacuí, laguna dos Patos system
Many thanks to
for the pictures
R.L. Widholzer, J. Borsoi, R.E. Reis & P. Lehmann A. (CC BY 4.0)
1, 2, 3
Please help with your pictures and information to complete the database: database(at)welsfans.de
Link: https://www.suedamerikafans.de/en/wels-datenbank/welsart/?art=3298
3298
28.09.2025