This species of Hypancistrus first showed up on the website of a Japanese importer. They were labelled Hypancistrus sp. «Yamunda», another name for what we know better as Nhamundá, Brazil. Nhamundá is well known for its beautiful strains of Discus, which are extensively collected there. However, in later years the collectors who supply the Asian market have also collected species of Loricariidae in this and other habitats where Discus are caught. This has resulted in some new imports to the Asian market, like this Hypancistrus. Daniel Konn-Vetterlein and I gave it the number L475 in 2014. In 2021 this species was imported in significant numbers to Europe through German importer Aquarium Glaser, but in recent years the species has disappeared from the market again – possibly due to low demand and a high market price?
Facts:
Name: Hypancistrus sp.
Trade names: L475, Hypancistrus sp. «Nhamundá», Hypancistrus sp. «Yamundá» (Japan)
Origin: Rio Nhamundá, Brazil
Maximum size: 14 cm / 6”
For a long time it was impossible to determine if L475 was indeed from Nhamundá. Meanwhile, very similar types of Hypancistrus showed up in the hobby but with different locations attached to their name; H.sp.«Manaus», H.sp.«Madeira» and H.sp.«Uatumá» (L500) are all types with a clear similarity to L475. However, not all of them have been confirmed to actually come from where their nickname suggests.
In November 2013, Rupert Collins was part of a science team collecting species right by the town of Nhamundá (-2.19081, -56.7084). In this habitat the water was slightly murky and without current. The temperature was 32 C, conductivity 5 uS/cm. Other species observed were Ancistrus aff. macrophthalmus, Peckoltia cf. vittata, Crenicichla sp., Pterophyllum scalare, Symphysodon sp., Platydoras sp. and Tatia nigra. The team only collected at this site, so the distribution of the species in the area may be larger. In a couple of hours, 3 collectors caught 12 specimens of this Hypancistrus. The Peckoltia species was much more abundant. They were told by the fisherman who worked there that he mostly collected Discus, but even the Peckoltia and the Hypancistrus were collected for the ornamental trade. He was however paid the same price for the Hypancistrus as for the Peckoltia, so he didn’t make too much of an effort to find them.
L475 is variable in its pattern, like most other representatives of the genus. It mostly resembles L270 from Rio Curua-Una and the Colombian types from the H.debilittera group, but these are all smaller than the Nhamundá species which grows to 12-14 cm (the largest specimen collected by R.Collins and his crew was 73.1 mm SL). Also, L475 has a higher, more stocky body. Collins counted 7-13 teeth in the premaxilla of the collected individuals. L500 from Uatumá is very similar to L475 and may eventually prove to be the same species.
Interestingly enough, a third similar Hypancistrus form labelled H.sp.“Madeira” also entered the trade in Japan around 2010. It has not been seen since and was never imported to Europe or the US. Like L475 and L500, even H.sp.“Madeira” appear to coexist with a similar looking Peckoltia type in its natural habitat and is exported together with it. The Hypancistrus are however largely outnumbered by the Peckoltia in each case.
They need 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. 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. Males develop longer odontodes on their pectoral fins and on their cheeks and have broader heads. Hypancistrus are mostly carnivorous, so a selection of crustaceans, insect larvae and fish meat should be offered along with high quality dried foods that also contain some vegetable matter.
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