Plecos · Hypostominae

Hemiancistrus fugleri

Ovchynnyk, 1971

IUCNNE
NEnot on the EX–LC scale
CARESNOT LISTED
Scientific size3.5 in9.1 cm standard length
Depthnot recorded
PhotographsSee photosGoogle Images →

A small suckermouth catfish from the Pacific-slope rivers of northwestern Ecuador, Hemiancistrus fugleri is a regionally restricted species known almost entirely from its original description. It is not part of the aquarium hobby and has attracted little study since it was named in 1971.

What's in the name

Hemiancistrus fuglerihem-ee-AN-sis-truss foo-GLEH-reye

Hemiancistrus
  • hemi-Greekhalf
  • ancistrusGreek (ankistron)hook — referring to the hooked interopercular odontodes; Hemiancistrus = 'half-Ancistrus', possessing some but not all Ancistrus characters
fugleri — a patronym, honouring a person named Fugler; basis not detailed in the consulted sources

Taxonomy & naming

Hemiancistrus fugleri was described by Ovchynnyk in 1971, in Zoologischer Anzeiger (volume 187, numbers 1/2, page 108, figures 12–15). No synonyms are listed, and the species is placed in the subfamily Hypostominae within the family Loricariidae.

The type locality is the Río Bogotá at Parroquia Calderón (Cadondelet), approximately 1°06'N, 78°45'W, in Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador.

Morphology

Hemiancistrus fugleri is a small loricariid, recorded to about 3.5 in (3.5 in) standard length. As a member of the Hypostominae it has the family's bony body armour and ventral suckermouth. No further reliable description of coloration or distinguishing features is available in the consulted sources, so none is offered here — data are sparse.

Habitat

The species inhabits Pacific-slope rivers of northwestern Ecuador, specifically the Cayapas drainage in Esmeraldas Province, with the type material from the Río Bogotá. No field data on temperature, pH, substrate or current are published in the consulted sources.

Feeding

No diet study has been published for Hemiancistrus fugleri. Members of the Hypostominae are generally benthic grazers feeding on algae, biofilm and detritus, but the specific feeding ecology of this species is undocumented.

Mating

No data published. Courtship and mating behaviour for this species have not been described.

Breeding

No breeding report exists for Hemiancistrus fugleri, in the wild or in captivity. Reproductive mode, clutch size and parental care are all undocumented.

In the aquarium

Hemiancistrus fugleri is not present in the aquarium hobby and there are no husbandry records. Any keeping recommendations would be speculative.

Conservation

The species has not been evaluated by the IUCN Red List. Its known range is restricted to Pacific-slope drainages of northwestern Ecuador, but without a formal assessment its conservation status cannot be characterised.

Sources

  1. Ovchynnyk (1971) — Original description, Zoologischer Anzeiger 187(1/2): 108
  2. PlanetCatfish Cat-eLog — Hemiancistrus fugleri

Last reviewed 2026-06-15.

How to cite

Aquarist Atlas (2026). Hemiancistrus fugleri. Aquarist Atlas.https://www.aquaristatlas.com/plecos/hemiancistrus-fugleri/

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