TankBud

Variety of Bristlenose pleco

Longfin bristlenose pleco

Ancistrus sp.

One of 4 varieties of Ancistrus sp. · See all varieties →

FreshwaterFish

Longfin bristlenose pleco (Ancistrus sp.)

Varieties · Ancistrus sp.

See all 4 →

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

Overview

The longfin bristlenose pleco carries a fin trait rather than a color, so it is sold on top of one. It grazes algae on the bottom of a community tank and is best with a little experience.

Did you know

Standard-finned bristlenose plecos are sometimes sold as carriers of a recessive longfin gene. That cannot be right, because longfin is dominant. A fish either shows the long fins or does not have the gene at all.

Caring for the longfin bristlenose pleco

A single longfin bristlenose pleco does well on its own and needs no group. Give it at least 20 gal (75 L), with driftwood, some hiding spots and good water movement. It rasps on the driftwood for fiber and roughage, so the wood matters.

The trailing fins snag on sharp decor and fray in strong flow. Damage takes longer to grow back than on a standard fish. The fins keep extending as the fish grows, so an adult is more affected by a powerhead than the juvenile you bought.

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

It is a peaceful bottom dweller and safe with community fish. Mature males grow branching, bristle-like tentacles on the snout. Longfin bristlenose plecos are cave spawners, and the male guards the eggs. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Good to know

A longfin bristlenose pleco crossed to a standard fish gives roughly half longfin fry. Angels Plus reports that ratio from hundreds of its own crosses.

In the wild

The longfin bristlenose pleco was fixed in captivity, and the trait does not turn up in wild populations. It has since been crossed onto every common color line. Longfin brown, longfin albino and longfin super red are all sold as their own items. No reliable source names the breeder who first fixed it.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The longfin bristlenose 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

Is a longfin bristlenose pleco a different species from the bristlenose pleco?

No. A longfin bristlenose pleco is a variety of the bristlenose pleco, Ancistrus sp., and it wants the same tank, water and food as the species.

What size tank does a longfin bristlenose pleco need?

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

What does a longfin bristlenose pleco eat?

A longfin bristlenose pleco grazes algae and aufwuchs. Feed it algae wafers and blanched vegetables such as zucchini, plus a sinking protein food now and then.

How big does a longfin bristlenose pleco get?

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

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

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

How does a longfin bristlenose pleco breed?

Longfin bristlenose plecos spawn in caves, and the male guards the eggs. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Related species