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Medusa Pleco (L034)

Ancistrus ranunculus

Also known as L034, Medusa Plec

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
79–86°F (26–30°C)
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
5.9 in (15 cm)
Minimum tank
40 gal (150 L)
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Rio Xingu and Rio Tocantins in Para, Brazil.
Family
Loricariidae

Overview

A distinctive flat pleco for a tank around 150 liters with strong current and good oxygen. Unlike the algae-focused common bristlenose it wants more protein, so feed sinking carnivore pellets, frozen bloodworms, and brine shrimp alongside some algae wafers and vegetables. Peaceful and community safe, though males get territorial over prime rocks.

In the wild

Lives in shallow, fast, rocky rapids of the Xingu and Tocantins, pressed flat against stones in strong current. It is an omnivore but leans meatier than most Ancistrus, taking small invertebrates along with some biofilm and algae. Wants high flow, high oxygen, and flat rocks and caves to cling to.

Good to know

Described as Ancistrus ranunculus, the medusa has an extremely flattened, wide, triangular head fringed with the tentacle-like bristles that give it the name. Its low, squashed profile is an adaptation to living in fast water where a flat body resists the current. It is a bristlenose relative but looks and behaves quite differently from the common one.

Did you know

Its head can be wider than the body is long, and the dense fringe of soft bristles over that flat face is what earns it the medusa name.

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Plecos · Community fish · Bottom dwellers

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