Chameleon Sand Pleco

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Endemic to the Rio San Miguel and Rio Conejo in the upper Amazon basin, in Ecuador (Sucumbíos Province). Strictly rheophilic species: buries itself in the endless sandy bottoms (bancos de arena) of white or clear rivers with moderate/strong current.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Chameleon Whiptail Catfish (Pseudohemiodon apithanos). Astounding morphology. The Greek term "apithanos" means "incredible". Ultra-flat body with wide fan-like pectoral fins. Mouth formed by impressive fimbriated lips designed to dredge sand.

Social Behavior: Peaceful gregarious fish, inactive during the day (partially or entirely buried under the sand to camouflage). Extremely clumsy if forced into free swimming. It is appropriate to house them in small groups.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Masters of mimicry ("Chameleon"). They change color instantly to camouflage with the substrate: from a sandy beige, light brown to a very dark slate gray depending on the riverbed or if irritated. Females are stockier.

Aquarium Setup: Tank for benthic fish (minimum 120-150 cm / 48-60 inches footprint). The main (and only) decor is a 4-5 cm (2 inches) thick layer of very fine rounded sand, without stones. Lighting does not bother them as long as they can bury themselves, but a strong horizontal current is welcome.

Diet and Feeding: Sand carnivore (predator of benthic microfauna). Stubbornly refuses vegetable wafers and algae. They must be fed after lights out with live tubifex, fine bloodworms and soft granules for carnivores dropped close to the fish.

Water Quality: Although the water does not need extreme temperatures (24-28°C / 75-82°F), ammonia and nitrite/nitrate levels must border on zero. Fundamentally siphon the sand superficially on a regular basis.

Compatibility and Tankmates: It is the "submissive" fish par excellence. Forbidden to insert it with impetuous bottom eaters (Loaches, quarrelsome Plecos, large "digging" Cichlids). Perfect tankmates are peaceful mid-water characins, Hatchetfish, or tame Corydoras.

Aquarium Reproduction: Lip-brooders like P. cryptodon. Incredible spectacle of parental care: the male fertilizes the female's ovarian disk and then glues it to his enormous modified lower lips, carrying it continuously until hatching (about 12-14 days).

Risks and Diseases: The fatal enemy is malnutrition: it lets more active fish steal its food. Sharp gravel will destroy its very delicate oral barbels and epidermis, condemning it to death by bacterial and fungal infections.