All fish / Loricariidae

Large-mouth Baryancistrus

Baryancistrus hadrostomus

Also known as jari baryancistrus, white-dotted black baryancistrus, black pleco with white dots

No free-to-use photo of this fish yet. Took one yourself? Send it to us and we will credit you.

A suckermouth armoured catfish from the rapids of the Jari River, scientifically described in 2019. It has a grey to black body with small, widely spaced white dots and an unusually large oral disc, which gives the species its name. Keepers of rare L-number plecos value it for its unusual colouring.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

26 to 30 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Singly or a small group in a large tank with plenty of caves

Diet

Omnivore: algae and biofilm, sinking algae wafers, blanched vegetables, plus some frozen bloodworm and shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years (estimated)

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: Jari River basin (Amapá/Pará), Amazon basin

Breeding

Not yet bred in captivity, as far as is known. It probably spawns in caves like its relatives, with the male guarding the eggs, but this has not been recorded.

Good to know

It is rarely seen in the trade, and care figures are based on related Baryancistrus species from fast, warm, oxygen-rich rivers, so it needs strong flow and very clean water. Brazil restricts the export of many wild Loricariidae, so check the fish's legal origin before buying.