Ancistrus triradiatus
| Common Names: | Bristlenose Pleco LDA72 |
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| Family: | Loricariidae |
| Category: | Catfish_Bottom_Feeders |
| Distribution: | America - South; Middle and lower Orinoco River tributaries, Valencia Lake basin, Guayos River basin, and southern tributaries of Lake Maracaibo basin |
| Main Ecosystem: | River; Several river and lake basins, the Orinoco River, and its tributaries. |
| Temperament: | Peaceful; Very peaceful fish, though fairly rowdy. Interspecific squabbling may become a problem in small tanks. |
| Diet: | Ominvore; Though they prefer algae and vegetables, they will eat just about anything offered them. Live foods are great for conditioning this fish. |
| Care: | Very easy fish to care for, if a few conditions are met. These fish like well-oxygenated water, and a good current. Hiding places are a must, for the fish will become stressed without them. Two 'caves' per fish are recommended. They are resistant to most illnesses, and are very tough physically. However, this catfish (like many other Loricariids) can be quite shy, especially during the daytime. |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 12cm (4.7") Female: 12cm (4.7") |
| Water Region: | Bottom; Almost always found at the bottom. |
| Activity: | Nocturnal; Nocturnal, though they may venture out during the day. |
| Gender: | Males have the famous bristles on their snout. Females have these growths as well, though they are smaller and much fewer in number. |
| Breeding: | Spawning is very easily accomplished. Give the breeders a cave (preferably closed off at one end), and condition them with lots of vegetables and occasional live foods (conditioning is not necessary, but is very helpful in inducing this fish to spawn). The male will guard the eggs, and fan them with his fins to keep them oxygenated. Fry should be given sinking fry foods until they are large enough to eat other things. This catfish should readily spawn, and do so regularly. |
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| Comments: | A great fish for any community tank. They are great algae eaters, and very well-mannered fish. They are being exported in large numbers, and are becoming more common in the hobby. They are sometimes mistakenly sold as the "Common" Bristlenose, though they are different fish. |
| Main Colours: | Brown, White, Black |
| Markings: | Mottled |
| Mouth: | Sucking Disc |
| Tail: | Flat |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | ;sirbooks |
| Submitted By: | sirbooks |
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