Hypoptopoma inexpectatum

[Edmundo]

The genus Hypoptopoma comprises currently nine accepted species. The nice fish can be mainly kept like their smaller cousins of the genus Otocinclus. However, Hypoptopoma reach around 5-10 cm total length. They are very quiet and peaceful fish that take care for the eggs in a very interesting way, similiar to Sturisoma. That means the eggs are not spawned in caves, but on open, mostly vertical, structures.

A typical feature of the genus Hypoptopoma are the eyes which are placed in a very special way on the head. This eye-position allows the animal to observe all directions at once: up, down, in front and in back.

Sexing: Males can be distinguished from the females by the hooked tip of the dorsal fin.

Males
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Female
http://www.aquariumglaser.de/backend/FCK/UserFiles/Image/News-Pics/2010/kw%207%202010/262244-hypoptopoma%20%20inexpectatum%20paraguay%20frau.jp g

Lexicon: Hypoptopoma: from ancient Greek, means about " with ventraly flatted cover", which refers to the structure of the operculum. inexpectatum: Latin, means "unexpected", due the collection site which is quite apart from those of the other members of the genus known at the time.

http://www.aquariumglaser.de/backend/FCK/UserFiles/Image/News-Pics/2010/kw%207%202010/262244-von%20unten.jpg

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
source: Aquarium Glaser Gmbh

[barmby]

ya ya .. i saw these on two ocassions at c328 !! i wonder if they are hardworking hehe..

[Alien]

I thought these kind is the same as Otocinclus before

[barmby]

不对! They are longer and the head is broader.

[barmby]

看起來好像很用功吃青藻