Overview
- The Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus) is the familiar bristlenose catfish sold in most stores.
- Males grow fleshy bristles on the snout.
- Grows to about 5 in (12.5 cm) standard length, much smaller than the common pleco.
- Mass-bred commercially. Its exact wild origin is unknown, and it may be a hybrid.
Feeding
- Offer a varied diet: sinking dried foods and algae wafers, frozen Daphnia, bloodworm and shrimp.
- Add fresh vegetables and fruit, such as zucchini or blanched potato.
- [UNVERIFIED] Include driftwood. Many keepers report that bristlenoses rasp on it.
Habitat
- A tank with a base of 24 × 12 in (60 × 30 cm) for a single fish or a breeding pair. A group needs more space.
- Plenty of cover such as caves and driftwood.
- Water: 70–79°F (21–26°C), pH 5.5–7.5, GH 1–15.
Fish Care
- Undemanding, but likes well-oxygenated water.
Compatibility
- Fits most peaceful community tanks.
Aquarium Behavior
- Fairly peaceful, but territorial toward its own kind and similar-shaped fish.
Breeding
- A cave spawner. The male guards the eggs and fry.
- Often breeds in mature, well-kept tanks without any help.