Mango Pleco

Distinguished from its congeners by having a broad orange to yellow band along the entire distal border of dorsal and caudal fins. Can be diagnosed from other species of Baryancistrus by the combination of the following characters: absence of clear dots on the body; naked abdomen; mandibullary teeth around 70; and dark body with very faint, almost indistinguishable light marks. Both young of Baryancistrus xanthellus and Baryancistrus chrysolomus possess wide light bands on dorsal and caudal fins, but these bands are only retained in adults of Baryancistrus chrysolomus. Both species differ in body coloration, Baryancistrus xanthellus is spotted while Baryancistrus chrysolomus is almost plain (Ref. 87296).

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Analsoft rays: 5

Adults occur under large flat rocks settled directly on the river bottom, in places with considerable amounts of fine sediments. Young individuals inhabit marginal areas of the rapids, near the river banks, usually just one or two individuals. They occupy under rocks in places with slow to moderate flowing waters, usually with sediment accumulation over the rocks and river bottom. Based on two specimens, this species feeds mainly on diatoms and occasionally on invertebrate larvae associated with fine sediments and sand grains (Ref. 87296).

A specimen of B. chrysolomus in an aquarium.

Baryancistrus chrysolomus is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Xingu River basin in Brazil. Adults of the species are most frequently found under flat rocks on the river bottom in places with fine sediments, whereas juveniles are found under rocks in marginal areas near river banks. The species reaches 29.6 cm (11.7 inches) in total length and feeds on the diatoms and invertebrate larvae associated with fine sediments such as sand. It is present in the aquarium trade, where it is referred to as the mango pleco or by its L-number, L-047.