Ancistrus ranunculus

From The Aquarium Wiki

This article is a stub. We can not complete the encyclopaedia without your help. You can contribute to the Aquarium Wiki by expanding this article. Dont be shy!.

Medusa Pleco
Medusa Pleco
Species	Ancistrus ranunculus
Difficulty	Moderate
Min. Tank Size	56.781 liters 56,781.177 mL 15 US Gallons (56.8L)
Size	12.7 cm 4.5-5 " (11.4-12.7cm)
pH	6.5 - 7.0
Temp.	298.15 K 77 °F 536.67 °R 301.15 K 82.4 °F 542.07 °R25 -28 °C (77-82.4°F)
Water Hardness	6-16
Stocking Ratio	1:1 M:F
Availability	Uncommon
Diet	Omnivore Pellet Foods Flake Foods Live Foods Other (See article)
Life Span	5-8 years

[edit] Alternative names

Medusa Pleco, L034

[edit] Sexing

The female is slightly broader than the male. Males have a larger number of bristles on the nose.

[edit] Tank compatibility

A generally peaceful pleco with other tankmates. Do not keep with too many other bottom-dwellers or plecos if not enough hiding places are provided to avoid any aggression.

[edit] Diet

Will accept most foods including catfish and algae wafers, appreciates bogwood in the diet and will also take meaty foods such as brine shrimp and daphnia.

[edit] Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day, may be more active when the lights are off.

[edit] Environment Specifics

Prefers a spacious and well filtered tank with hiding places, bogwood, rounded stones and caves provided.

[edit] Behaviour

A peaceful, mostly nocturnal, pleco.

[edit] Identification

This pleco has long branched bushy "bristles" when mature, mostly so on the males, which is unique in the Ancistrus family. The Medusa's bristles are long and thick. Its body is dark brown/black and slightly mottled, the belly is pale.

[edit] Pictures

[edit] External links

• Fishbase
• Planet Catfish