This is a form of Hypancistrus that has pretty much gone unnoticed in the hobby until now. It’s another black with white spots form from the Orinoco delta in Venezuela, and it may be the smallest representative of its genus together with H.yudja, L174. Due to the similarities with H.contradens and L201 plus the fact that no information about it was published until Daniel Konn-Vetterlein and I gave it the L-Number L471 in 2013, there’s a real danger that it has already been kept as and crossbred with the aforementioned similar forms.
Facts:
Name: Hypancistrus sp. “L201 Dwarf”
Trade names: L471, “L201 Dwarf”, L280b
Origin: Rio Ventuari, Venezuela
Maximum size: 7 cm / 3”
This form was first imported several times around 2011 by Neonfisken in Denmark under the moniker L280a (small spots) and L280b (big spots). This was of course very unfortunate. L280 is a number that belongs to another dwarf Loricariid from the Orinoco system; Hypancistrus (Micracanthicus) vandragti. However, the well-known Aqualog book “All l-numbers” must take some of the blame. They published both pictures and accompanying text that suggested the possibility of L280 being a small Hypancistrus species very similar to L201. This mistake certainly stuck with many traders. Compared to L201, L471 is about the same size but with a more stocky build, closer to its much larger relative H.contradens. It has more variation it the spot sizes, even the spots on a single fish may vary in size, and they are usually not as numerous as with L201. The mouth and head structure are also slightly different from L201. Unfortunately, exporters in Colombia now trade H.contradens as L471, adding further to the confusion.
L471 needs an aquarium set up consisting of lots of hiding places in the form of rocks, wood and of course specially made caves that suit their measurements. In these the males will eventually guard their offspring. They prefer water that is warm (27-30 C), soft and slightly acidic. Most of all it should be well oxygenated and clean, so a good filtration system and frequent water changes are essential. It’s a rather small and timid species that should not be exposed to too much competition over food and shelter. Among themselves they are peaceful, although males may quarrel for caves and females can sometimes be badly injured or even killed during the breeding-trapping in the male’s cave.
More info: