Rineloricaria lanceolata

Description

Rineloricaria lanceolata (chocolate-colored catfish) is a very common species of suckermouth (family Loricariidae). It rasps algae off river rocks, and with its suction-cup like mouth it sticks to them, even in the most oxygenated, fast-flowing mountain streams. It sometimes even resides in Iguazú Falls in the Misiones Province, Argentina. It will also take small aquatic isopods, amphipods and even takes parasitic ostracods off other fish (preferably characins') bodies. It ranges from Mexico south to Chile. This species is very easy to keep in captivity. It will take live brine shrimp, freeze-dried bloodworms and algae flakes and pellets.