One of the biggest draws to a Bristlenose Pleco is its unique appearance. The Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.) Moreover, caves and other natural structures are critical to the breeding process. Size is about 1 - 1.2 inches or so. Some are darker or lighter (also affected by substrate and background color, as well as lighting). The herbivores will not harm live plants and can live off algae alone which makes them busy, helpful fish to have around. You’ll also want to make sure the temperature is somewhere between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, though you may need to adjust during mating season. Be sure to take good care of these super special fish and enjoy all the perks of having one of the best bottom feeders in your aquarium. They stay small, don’t bother fish, eat almost every type of algae, thrive in almost any temperature, and thrive in almost any type of water (hard or soft). The Green Dragon Bristlenose Pleco is usually a longfin variety and usually has a dark, muted appearance. As the name suggests, these fish are fully white, sometimes with a red eye. The super red or red Bristlenose Pleco is known for its orange to light red appearance. Also known as the White Seam Pleco and previously labeled scientifically as Xenocara dolichoptera or Hypostoma punctatum. Once the new fish hatch, it will take them only about 6 months to reach maturity. Bristlenose plecoes are not hard to breed. The fish breed is highly sociable and flourishes in tanks with other peaceful fish. This colorful Bristlenose variety is bound to stand out in the best way in your aquarium. In the aquarium, starlight bristlenose are almost as hardy and easy to keep as any other species, though they tend to be a little more skittish. White Seam Plecos prefer wood and hiding places, such as caves. Like the other fish of the Loricariidae family, Bristlenose Plecos or Plecostomus have an armored exterior composed of beautiful scales that cover the upper parts of the head and body. She was able to isolate many of the babies into a net breeder to keep them safe from the other fish (a separate tank would have been ideal). You’ll need to make sure you prioritize plants for Bristlenose Pleco for a couple of reasons. As you’ll soon learn, these fish are great additions to any aquarium. I have added a few cichlid stones (hollow, ceramic decorative rocks) that they now prefer and they have had at least one batch of babies in there. These bottom dwellers are one of the smallest of the breed, measuring in at only 3 to 5-inches long. While they come in a wide variety of colors and variations as discussed below, the fish is usually spotted with a lighter color than the base of the fish. These fish like to hide in foliage in the wild, so having some high-quality beechwood and other aquatic plants will help your fish feel right at home. The Blue Eye Lemon Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp. The Bristlenose Pleco body is covered in tiny, bony plates that protect the fish from predators in the wild. The fish is native to South America, especially often it can be seen in the Amazon river basin. Bristlenose Plecos are highly diverse in their appearance, and the albino variety is no exception. This distinct dotted pattern helps the fish blend into the substrate of their prospective environments. Full size for these gorgeous Plecos are around 6-6.5" or so. Be sure to change your aquarium’s water on a regular basis and replace the filter media as needed to keep your water quality high. These bristlenose plecos can be very … Even other plecoes that are commonly considered to be safe, such as rubberlip plecoes with fancy goldfish, are not as safe in my experience. Water hardness should be right around 23. Almost all photos on the site are mine, but there are a few exceptions. The black and white fish looks great in any aquatic environment. Starlights are omnivorous and prefer vegetable matter. It helps keep the site going. Longfin Bristlenose Pleco is known for being somewhat bigger than the average Bristlenose Pleco. They may not be as good at some types as others, but in my experience they just need more time or you need to add more of them in those cases. Poor water quality leads to stress and can make your fish sick. Minimum Tank Size: 29 Gallons Care Level: Easy Water Conditions: 6.5 7.5 and Soft to Medium but is highly adaptable Temperature: 70-80 F (20-27 C) Maximum Size: 6 inches (15 cm) One of the biggest draws to a Bristlenose Pleco is its unique appearance. We’ll also go over specific tank requirements and ideal tank mates so that you can determine whether or not Bristlenose Plecos are the right fit for your aquarium. That being said, the Bristlenose Pleco takes on a lot of the traits reminiscent of your average catfish. This Bristlenose Pleco has long, free-flowing fins. Overall, Plecos are super peaceful fish that do well in a wide variety of tank environments. Great addition to your aquarium and a very striking appearance! I have had them eat green algae, black hair algae (they won’t get rid of it, but they will keep it under control), green slime algae, and brown algae. Ask questions. L183 Starlight Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus dolichopterus) $ 24.99 – $ 34.99 A beautiful and sought after member of the genus Ancistrus found in Brazil’s Rio Negro, the Starlight or White Seam Bristlenose Pleco inhabits warm, acidic, tannin-stained waters where it is typically found … It’s completely black in color except for being covered in white spots which gives the look of stars in the night sky. The Bristlenose Pleco is overall pretty relaxed, and will do well with any other peaceful fish breeds. To properly house your Bristlenose, your aquarium should be able to hold at least 20 gallons of water. Great addition to your aquarium! Every once in a while, the fish can benefit from a raw protein source like bloodworms. Ancistrus: from the Greek άγκιστρο (ágkistro), meaning ‘hook’, in reference to the hooked interopercular odontodes possessed by genus members. Species occur in a wide range of natural habitats, including rivers, lakes, basins, and underwater caves. They will not breed like convict cichlids or guppies, but they are not particularly difficult. They come in a wide variety of colors ranging from black to albino. Ask a Question: BriansAquariumCare@Gmail.com. Though they are smaller than catfish, Bristlenose Pleco fish live an impressive lifespan of about 5 years. They’ll make truly majestic additions to any tank. Unlike so many other plecoes, bristlenose stay nice and small. Oct 28, 2018 - Ancistrus is a genus of nocturnal freshwater fish in the family Loricariidae of order Siluriformes, native to freshwater habitats in South America and Panama. This pleco is sure to stand out in your tank with its striped, bold appearance. In fact, the Bristlenose Pleco’s diet is one of the best things about the fish breed. I'm looking for a pleco which stays pretty small (under 6"). Overall, Bristlenose Pleco are fascinating fish to welcome into your life. Some have lots of spots and some are effectively solid. I accidentally bred bristlenose plecoes recently. is one of the most common aquarium Plecos. The largest I have seen people grow them in their tanks is about 3-4″. The colors of the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco are simply amazing. What this does is replicate the Amazon’s rainy season conditions— the fish instinctually associate freshwater with ideal spawning conditions. The Bristlenose Plecoes in the 300 Gallon are Breeding! 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