Baryancistrus demantoides “L200” High Fin

Order: Siluriformes
Onderorder: Loricarioidei
Familie: Loricariidae
Onderfamilie: Hypostominae
Geslacht: Baryancistrus
Soort: Baryancistrus demantoides, Werneke, Sabaj, Lujan, & Armbruster, 2005

Baryancistrus demantoides "L200" High Fin is a medium-sized pleco with a beautiful yellow/green base color with light spots on its body. The spots can vary in size and pattern. Some specimens have larger, more pronounced spots, while others have a finer, more dotted pattern. This species grows to about 15 to 20 cm.

The High Fin behind the name refers to the high dorsal fin of the fish and indicates, among other things, the difference with the "normal" "L200", Hemiancistrus subviridis. The color of these two fish is almost the same and that is why they are often confused with each other.
Although the "L200" High Fin often has slightly brighter spots, a slightly darker base color and generally grows slightly larger, the easiest way to tell them apart is that in Baryancistrus -species the dorsal fin and the adipose fin are connected, while in Hemiancistrus -species they are separated. Another way to tell them apart is that B. demantoides has a less rounded mouth.
That is why this species was only described in 2005, previously they were imported from Colombia as one species, "L200".

It is also sometimes traded under the name "L200a".

The "L200" High Fin, Baryancistrus demantoides, is native to South America, Venezuela and Colombia where it originates from the Orinoco Basin. This is a vast river basin that extends across parts of Venezuela and Colombia. The Orinoco Basin has a tropical climate with high temperatures and high humidity.
In Venezuela it is found in the upper reaches of the Orinoco River and its tributaries, such as the Ventuari and Atabapo. In these rivers they do prefer specific microhabitats and are therefore not found everywhere in the river.
Here it lives in clear, oxygen-rich water of fast-flowing rivers and streams with a strong current.

The bottom of the habitat consists mainly of rocks, stones, and pebbles and woody roots. With its sucker mouth it can suck itself onto rocks and other surfaces in the fast-flowing waters. This prevents them from being swept away by the current and helps them scrape algae off the rocks.

The Baryancistrus demantoides is mainly a herbivore (plant eater) but also an omnivore (omnivore) due to its varied diet. In their natural habitat they graze algae from rocks and wood, but they also eat small invertebrates, insect larvae and other organic material that they find in the current.
In the aquarium this pleco should be fed mainly vegetarian, with a lot of fiber in the diet. Algae wafers and fresh vegetables such as zucchini, potato and sweet potato are good foods.

I feed my fish mainly with EBO Spirulina tabs, EBO Veggie sticks, Dr. Bassleer BioFish Food Chlorella and sometimes EBO Insect soft granulate.
It is important to feed as varied as possible to keep these fish healthy and to get the necessary nutrients. It is also wise to feed them in the evening, just before the lights go out, as they are nocturnal.
Be careful with plants in your aquarium, the "L200" can eat your sword plants.

As can be seen in the picture, B. demantoides has a more rectangular mouth. This is also a typical characteristic difference with H. subviridis which has an almost perfectly round mouth.

Baryancistrus demantoides "L200" High Fin is a popular pleco in the aquarium hobby because of its striking appearance and relatively easy care. It can sometimes take a while for new "L200" High Fins to adapt and feel at home in their new environment.

Because it is a medium-sized pleco that grows to about 15 to 20 cm, an aquarium of 120 cm long is really the minimum. Despite being bottom dwellers, this species is really an active swimmer and therefore there should be sufficient swimming space. Especially if you want to keep multiple specimens or add other fish, a larger aquarium is always better.

The "L200" High Fin, despite being fairly easy to keep, is sensitive to poor water quality. It is therefore important to ensure clean water that is well aerated with sufficient flow. Regular water changes, weekly from 25 to 50% are important to keep the water quality optimal and to remove waste products.

In nature, these fish are used to fast-flowing water and there should therefore also be sufficient current in the aquarium with the help of a strong filter or a current pump.

The ideal water temperature is 24 - 28 °C degrees and they prefer softer to medium-hard water.

To set up the aquarium for this species, sand or fine gravel can be used as substrate. In addition, sufficient hiding places should be created for the "L200" High Fin as they are naturally quite shy and need to be able to retreat. Rocks, wood and breeding caves can be used for this.

They are nocturnal animals that prefer dimmed light. Too bright light can cause stress in the fish and ensure that you see them less in the aquarium.

As indicated above with diet, it is possible that the "L200" High Fin eats plants. This should therefore be taken into account when setting up the aquarium.

Distinguishing between males and females of the Baryancistrus demantoides "L200" High Fin can sometimes be tricky, but there are a few key features to look for:

When viewed from the side, it is noticeable that the male appears to be somewhat higher and not as flat as the female. Males generally have a somewhat more slender body than females.

When comparing the head of the male and the female, the head of the male appears to be slightly longer and flatter than the head of the female.

As you can see in the close-up photo of the gills below, the odontodes of the male are noticeably longer.

A clear and really big difference we see also on the hard ray of the pectoral fins. The male shows longer odontodes here, which are much shorter at the female. Also the male has much more odontodes than the female.

Also the small spines on the tail can be seen in both males and females, although those of the male are more present and larger than those of the female. The male is also hairier in the area of ​​the dorsal fin.

From above, the general body shape is more visible. The female is rounder and has the widest part at the belly (hips). The male is widest at the shoulders. The difference in the odontodes between the male and female is also clearly visible.

If we look at the head from above we see clear differences. The female has a somewhat more pointed head and a clearly thicker belly than the male.
The male's pectoral fins are wider and longer and the odontohes are also way larger here and on his gills.

Although the difference between this male and female is already very clear, the sex papilla shows the same. The male has a more pointed papilla compared to the female, which is rounder and wider. This female also shows, here again, yellow spots around the sex papilla.

In this case, it is very easy to see the sex of these two fish. These differences are not always so clear, especially in young fish. As the fish grow older, the sex differences usually become more clear.

Breeding this species is not easy and has not been bred very often. It requires the necessary knowledge, patience and dedication.

A large aquarium of about 120cm long is recommended for breeding the "L200" High Fin. Good water quality is important, also for the development of the eggs and young. There should be sufficient current in the aquarium, both in general but also certainly for breeding as this can stimulate breeding.
The temperature may be slightly higher, between 26 - 28 °C.

The aquarium should be furnished with breeding caves and crevices between rocks. The fish must feel at ease and therefore have sufficient hiding places.

It is important to feed the fish well and varied before attempting to breed them so that they are in good condition.

The male, just like with almost all L-numbers, guards the eggs until they hatch. The eggs hatch after about 4 - 5 days. The young are still very small and vulnerable and the male takes care of the young until they leave the breeding cave.

Werneke, D.C., Sabaj, M.H., Lujan, N.K., & Armbruster, J.W. (2005).
Baryancistrus demantoides and Hemiancistrus subviridis, two new uniquely colored species of catfishes from Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae).
Neotropical Ichthyology,  Vol. 3 (4): 533 - 542