TankBud

Blue medusa pleco

Ancistrus macrophthalmus

Also known as LDA74, Bigeye bristlenose

FreshwaterFish

Blue medusa pleco (Ancistrus macrophthalmus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
77–84°F
25–29°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
3.5 in
9 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Orinoco basin

Overview

The blue medusa pleco is a peaceful bristlenose that grazes along the bottom of the tank. It suits a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

The blue medusa pleco's oversized eyes are the clue to its habits. It is a crepuscular pleco that stays tucked away in daylight and does most of its grazing at dusk and after dark.

Caring for the blue medusa pleco

Give a blue medusa pleco a mature tank of at least 29 gal (110 L), enough room and territory for a pair. Furnish it with plenty of wood, caves and shade over a sand floor, with steady oxygen. It is shy at first and appreciates dim lighting and cover while it settles in.

Keep the water soft and acidic to neutral, at 77 to 84°F (25 to 29°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Feed algae wafers and vegetables along with a little sinking protein.

Keep one, or a pair, since males claim and guard a cave and will spar with rival males. It is peaceful with other species and fits a calm community or a soft-water South American tank. It is a cave spawner of moderate difficulty, and the male tends the eggs as in other Ancistrus.

Good to know

Ancistrus macrophthalmus is a stocky bristlenose in the family Loricariidae, slate to blue-gray and sometimes flecked with white. The name macrophthalmus means large eye. It is also sold as LDA74 or the bigeye bristlenose.

In the wild

The blue medusa pleco comes from the Orinoco basin. It shelters among driftwood and root tangles in warm, soft, flowing water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The blue medusa pleco is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a blue medusa pleco need?

A blue medusa pleco needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a blue medusa pleco need?

A blue medusa pleco is comfortable at 77–84°F (25–29°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a blue medusa pleco eat?

A blue medusa pleco eats algae wafers and vegetables, along with a little sinking protein.

How big does a blue medusa pleco get?

An adult blue medusa pleco reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).

How does a blue medusa pleco breed?

Blue medusa plecos spawn in caves, and the male tends the eggs. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Related species