“False” Chameleon Loricaria (Pseudohemiodon cf. apithanos)

The ”False” Chameleon Loricaria originates from the upper Rio Nanay in Peru and is closely related to the similar looking Pseudohemiodon apithanos, which is found in the Caqueta basin in Colombia and Ecuador. This still undescribed species tends to be more reddish brown and their stress pattern typically includes a distinct black dorsal stripe. Like their close relatives, the False Chameleon Loricaria is typically found in shallow, sandy stretches of river with moderate to strong current, often in groups. In the aquarium, they prefer moderate to high water movement and large open areas of sand substrate. In the wild, they graze on biofilm, algae, small crustaceans and insect larvae and should be fed a varied diet with plenty of proteins such as Repashy Bottom Scratcher or Igapo Explorer gel diet or Fluval Bug Bites pleco formula. They can be territorial with each other so provide plenty of space for each individual fish.