TankBud

One species · 4 varieties

Bristlenose pleco

Ancistrus sp.

Also known as bushynose pleco

FreshwaterFish

Bristlenose pleco (Ancistrus sp.)
Billyhill · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
70–79°F
21–26°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
4.9 in
12.5 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Medium
Rarity
Very common
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Argentina

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One setup covers every line on this page: care is the species' care.

Overview

The bristlenose pleco is a peaceful freshwater catfish that grazes algae on the bottom of a community tank. It is a step up from the easiest beginner fish.

Did you know

Bristlenose plecos are often said to eat wood, but they do not actually digest it. Studies show that loricariids like these do not break the wood down.

Caring for the bristlenose pleco

One bristlenose pleco is happy on its own and does not need a group. Give it 20 gal (75 L) or more, with driftwood, some hiding spots and good water movement. Driftwood is important, because it rasps on the wood for fiber and roughage.

Keep the water at 70 to 79°F (21 to 26°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. A bristlenose produces a lot of waste, so keep up with filtration and water changes. It grazes algae and aufwuchs, and it is a good algae eater in the tank. Feed algae wafers and blanched vegetables such as zucchini, with the occasional sinking protein food.

It is a peaceful bottom dweller and safe with community fish. Mature males grow branching, bristle-like tentacles on the snout, which is where the name comes from. Bristlenose plecos are cave spawners, and the male guards the eggs. Breeding them rates medium difficulty.

Good to know

The bristlenose pleco belongs to Ancistrus, a genus of armored suckermouth catfish in the family Loricariidae. The "sp." in its name means the common aquarium fish is a mix of species and line-bred forms. It stays smaller than the common pleco and is also sold as the bushynose pleco.

In the wild

Bristlenose plecos come from rivers and streams in South America, including parts of the Amazon and rivers further south into Argentina. They cling to wood, rock and roots in flowing, oxygen-rich water.

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Tank mates

Every variety on this page wants the same water, so one set of picks fits them all. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a bristlenose pleco need?

A bristlenose pleco needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a bristlenose pleco need?

A bristlenose pleco is comfortable at 70–79°F (21–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a bristlenose pleco eat?

A bristlenose pleco grazes algae and aufwuchs. In the tank, feed it algae wafers and blanched vegetables such as zucchini, plus the occasional sinking protein food.

How big does a bristlenose pleco get?

An adult bristlenose pleco reaches about 4.9 in (12.5 cm).

How can you tell a male bristlenose pleco from a female?

Males grow branching, bristle-like tentacles on the snout once they are mature.

How does a bristlenose pleco breed?

Bristlenose plecos are cave spawners, and the male guards the eggs. Breeding them rates medium difficulty.

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