Isorineloricaria villarsi

About

Found in the rivers of northwestern Venezuela and extreme eastern Colombia, Squaliforma villarsi is a loricariid catfish that turns up only occasionally in the hobby, sometimes sold under the older name Hypostomus villarsi. Like others in its genus, it has the ability to breathe air facultatively, meaning it can gulp atmospheric oxygen when dissolved oxygen levels drop low. A handy adaptation for the sluggish, warm backwaters it calls home in the wild. In the aquarium it grows to a respectable size, so while a beginner can manage it successfully, tank size does need to reflect that eventual bulk. Despite the territorial reputation that many plecos carry, this species is genuinely peaceful and can share space with a wide range of tankmates including larger characins, cyprinids, mild-mannered cichlids, and other loricariids. It can even be kept in a small group of its own kind, which is unusual among its relatives. Breeding in captivity has not been documented. Because it is imported infrequently, inspect any specimens carefully before buying. A rounded belly and clear, full-looking eyes are signs of a healthy fish, while sunken eyes or a pinched abdomen suggest the animal has not traveled well and may struggle to recover.