 Lasiancistrus tentaculatus L92Photo: Enrico Richter |  Lasiancistrus tentaculatus L92Photo: Haakon Haagensen |  Lasiancistrus tentaculatus L92Photo: Haakon Haagensen |
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Lasiancistrus tentaculatus L92
The most common Lasiancistrus species in the hobby is L.tentaculatus, mostly traded as L92. It’s widely distributed in the Orinoco system and it’s affluents in Colombia and Venezuela. As one of the smallest Lasiancistrus species, it’s an ideal aquarium fish even for smaller tanks. It can be recognized by its many small white spots on the head only. It’s not very shy, and can be seen out foraging even during the day. L.tentaculatus is also known to be a wood-eater, so there should be pieces of wood available in the aquarium.
Facts:
Name: Lasiancistrus tentaculatus (Armbruster, 2005)
Trade names: L92, L194
Origin: Rio Orinoco, Colombia / Venezuela
Maximum TL: 13 cm / 5''
It’s safe to say that Lasiancistrus is not the most popular genus of Loricariidae among fishkeepers. However, this is probably more a result of “competition” from other Plecos with more striking colours and patterns than what the somewhat modest species of Lasiancistrus show off. On the other hand, Lasiancistrus species are excellent beginner-Plecos, as they are easy to keep, eat most of what is on offer (including algae!), are usually quite affordable compared to many other l-numbers, and they are even quite easy to breed. One could perhaps say that they are pretty much like (many, not all) Ancistrus species, but without the head tentacles Instead, Lasiancistrus males develop an interesting “pin cushion” look of very numerous, thin odontodes on the head. They breed like most Loricariidae species, in a cave where the male guards the offspring.
More info:
http://www.l-welse.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php/product/104
http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=201
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/lasiancistrus-tentaculatus/