Puganensis Spatuloricaria

Spatuloricaria puganensis is described from the Puga River system in Ecuador, a relatively restricted drainage that limits both its natural range and its availability in the aquarium trade. It is among the least-known members of the genus and appears only very sporadically in specialist imports from Ecuador. It shares the genus's characteristic spatula-shaped snout and broadly plated body.

Care requirements for Spatuloricaria puganensis are presumed to align with other members of the genus — large tank, soft substrate, clean water with moderate flow, and an omnivorous diet. Its Ecuadorian Andean river origins suggest preferences for somewhat softer and cooler water than the warmest tropical conditions, similar to the care requirements for other Andean-adjacent loricariid specialists.

Hobbyists acquiring this species should document all observations carefully, as husbandry data for Spatuloricaria puganensis specifically is essentially absent from the available aquarium literature.

Water: 22–26°C, pH 6.5–7.5, soft to moderate (GH 3–12); moderate flow; Ecuadorian river conditions. Tank: 200 L minimum; fine sand or smooth gravel substrate; caves and driftwood. Feeding: Algae wafers, sinking pellets, blanched vegetables; omnivorous. Breeding: Undocumented; presumed standard Spatuloricaria shelter-spawning approach. Compatibility: Peaceful; large community fish; Ecuadorian biotope setups ideal.