Ancistrus sp.

Common Names:

Bristle Nose Pleco
Bristle Nosed Pleco
Bristlenose Catfish
Bristlenose Pleco
Bushynose Catfish
Bushynosed Algae Eater

Synonyms:

Ancistrus domesticus
Hypostoma punctatum

Family:

Loricariidae

Category:

Catfish_Bottom_Feeders

Distribution:

America - South; South America.

Main Ecosystem:

River; River

Temperament:

Peaceful; Peaceful, and quite sociable. Excellent for community tanks. Males may fight though, if not enough room is given to them.

Diet:

Ominvore; Ominvore

Care:

The Bristlenose Catfish will feed from the algae on the glass and the bottom of the tank, and sometimes from dead fish lying on the bottom. Larger specimens need algae based sinking tablets. Zucchini or cucumber are ofter excellent treats for the Bristlenose Catfish, and are always excellent supplements to their regular diet. The cucumber or zucchini can be tied to a rock so it stays on the bottom. Good filtration and hiding places are also needed.

pH:

5.8 - 7.8

Temperature:

15°C - 27°C

59°F - 81°F

Hardness:

5 dH - 19 dH

Potential Size:

Male: 15cm (5.9")
Female: 12cm (4.7")

Water Region:

Bottom; Bottom

Activity:

Nocturnal; Nocturnal

Gender:

Can be determined by longer bristles on mature males. Male become mature when they have reached about 7-8cm. Males grow faster, and are wider than females. To choose a pair from a group, it is often best to choose the smallest as it is most likely the female and the largest for the male.

Breeding:

These guys are relatively easily bred. To breed them, use PVC pipe that is just large enough for them to enter, and then tightly secure themselves with they raise their fins. The female will lay her eggs inside the "cave" and the male will then fertilize them, protect them, and fan them with his fins to oxygenate them. Do not remove the parents as the male guards the eggs and new born fry until they venture out into the open world. The eggs take about five days to hatch. Use a pH of around 6.8.

Variants:

Albino and long-finned varities have been developed and have become more common in recent years.

Comments:

The bristlenose catfish grows faster than many other species of tribe ancistri, capable of putting on a sizeable amount of girth in a fairly short time period.

Main Colours:

Brown, White

Markings:

Spots Small

Mouth:

Sucking Disc

Tail:

Flat

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Image Credit:

Submitted By:

Adam

Contributors:

coffeeman, T'Ark'An'Ni Ak'Kan, Natalie, scottbrenda, Jimbooo

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