What is and Ancistrus pleco?
Ancistrus is a genus of nocturnal freshwater fish in the family Loricariidae of order Siluriformes, native to freshwater habitats in South America and Panama. Fish of this genus are common in the aquarium trade where they are known as bushynose or bristlenose catfish. In the aquarium hobby they are often referred to as bushynose or bristlenose plecos instead, but this may lead to confusion as “pleco” usually is used for Hypostomus plecostomus and its allies and is often used as a catchall term for any loricariids remotely resembling that species.
Ancistrus pleco, also known as the rare Ancistrus, is a type of freshwater fish from the Hypancistrus genus / species. As stated above also being from the Loricariidae species of freshwater fish.
They are native to South America and have been popularized by the fishkeeping hobby. Rare Ancistrus plecos prefer to live in aquariums that have a water temperature ranging from 77°F-86°F and a pH level of 6.0-8.5. The recommended tank setup includes plants and driftwood to provide cover for this shy species of fish.
The diet for Ancistrus Bristlenose Plecos is typical for a most types of plecos they do eat blood worms and brine shrimp but they preferably like algae and vegetable base diet. Despite reports among fish-keepers that they require wood in their diet, no scientific evidence data supports these species needing woof but there is no harm in having wood in your tank this is actually recommended. Bristlenose plecos do not school but are nocturnal meaning there more active at night or when lights out. They hide when not feeding but juveniles however are typically found in brightly lit shallows at the water margin making easy to locate. Ancistrus species have the capability of obtaining oxygen through their modified stomach. This allows them to survive in conditions with low oxygen levels.
Additional names.
Bristlenose Pleco, Bristlenose Catfish, Bushynose Catfish, Brushmouth Pleco, Common Bristlenose, Common Bristlenose Catfish, Veiltail Bristlenose, Piebald Bristlenose, Albino Veiltail, Golden Ancistrus
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L034 | Ancistrus ranunculus Medusa Pleco
A unique, oddly-shaped Loricariid, the L034 Medusa Pleco is distinguished by its flattened body and prominent fleshy tentacles surrounding the nose which gives them their common name. This pleco is found in the clear, fast-moving waters of the Xingu in Brazil where it inhabits rocky shallows.
In the aquarium, they prefer clean, well-oxygenated water and ample hiding places in the form of rocks, driftwood, or caves. Although both males and females have extensive bristles on the nose, mature males are easy to distinguish as the bristles grow to a huge size.
An omnivore by nature, they will readily accept veggies, sinking prepared foods like Fluval Bug Bites Pleco formula, or Repashy Gel Diet.
Origin: Wild Brazil Locale: Rio Xingu Diet: Omnivore and scavenger – should be fed both vegetable-based and protein-rich feeds in the aquarium Adult Size: 6-7″ Recommended Tank Size: 40 gal Compatibility: Generally peaceful, but can be territorial towards other plecos. Should be offered plenty of caves and other hiding places. Preferred Water Parameters pH: 6.5 – 7.5 Temp: 78-84F Ammonia: 0ppm Nitrite: 0ppm Nitrate: <30ppm
Ancistrus Medusa Pleco
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Green Dragon Bristlenose Pleco
A recently developed and sought after strain of the popular Bristlenose Pleco, the Longfin Green Dragon Ancistrus displays unmistakable greenish coloration paired with extremely long, flowing fins. Like all Bristlenose Plecos, they are exceptional algae eaters, grazing on diatoms and other nuisance algae in the aquarium. They are also plant and invertebrate safe, making them a unique and colorful addition to planted or aquascaped aquariums.
Easily one of the most extravagant and bizarre of the long fin plecos, this line is being selectively bred for extensive finnage and the best green color possible. They are perfectly peaceful in a community aquarium, and will continue to eat algea throughout their lives.
They are not especially difficult to breed, and larger pairs will produce up to 200 eggs per spawn, young pairs may only produce 40-50 eggs at first. Young are raised with a combination protein/ vegetable diet, with multiple water changes daily in grow out tubs until they are large enough to be put into a tank of their own.
As with most of the sucker mouthed catfishes, for them to thrive, and certainly to breed, regular feeding of Blanched Zucchini or canned green beans (just rinse and throw them directly into the aquarium) is essential. One concern is that their finnage can become very exaggerated, and tankmates prone to fin nipping may need to be kept in a separate aquarium. For more information on their care and breeding,
Origin: Aquacultured US Diet: Algae grazer and omnivore, will readily accept most sinking veggie or algae based foods Adult Size: 6″ Recommended Tank Size: 30 gallons Compatibility: Peaceful towards almost all tankmates Preferred Water Parameters pH: 6.5 – 7.5 Temp: 76-82F Ammonia: 0ppm Nitrite: 0ppm Nitrate: <30ppm
Green Dragon Bristlenose Pleco
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LDA008 | Ancistrus claro Gold Marble Bristlenose Catfish.
Mature males and sometimes females have soft tentacles (bushy fleshy growths) on the snout – this is unique to the genus Ancistrus.
The base colouration is brown with a whitish abdomen region. The markings are beige to yellowish white, and are a completely irregular reticulated pattern. Snout tentacles of males have a pattern of light-coloured spots. The dorsal and caudal fins have irregular bands.
Overall, this species is rather easy to ID because of its small adult size and quite unusual pattern. Still, it can be confused with young specimens of common Ancistrus unless the mouth shape is examined as it is different,
in A. claro it is more oval shape than rounded Sexing Males have branched tentacles on the snout, females can occasionally have 2-3 very little tentacles, but most don’t have any. Mature females have a darker base colouration. The vermiform lines are found predominantly on males that you keep in your aquarium.
Both sexes grow to about the same size.
Ancistrus claro _ LDA008, Gold Marble Bristlenose Catfish
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L183 | STARLIGHT BRISTLENOSE PLECO, WHITE SEAM ANCISTRUS
L183 STARLIGHT AKA WHITE SEAM BRISTLENOSE PLECO (ANCISTRUS)
The L183 Starlight Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus dolichopterus), also known as the White Seam Bristlenose Pleco, is a member of the Loricariidae family of South American suckermouth catfishes. While many suckermouth catfish species have yet to be bred on any major scale in aquariums, the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco is being propogated by a few commercial breeders. Its facial area becomes adorned with many bristle-like appendages beginning in sub-adulthood. Both sexes grow the appendages, but the growth and length is much more pronounced in males. This species is distinctly different than the many other more common bristlenose species, most of which are part of the Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus superspecies. The Starlight Bristlenose Pleco has an overall black body that is covered in bright spots and it also has a noticeable white seam on its dorsal fin and tail
A generally peaceful and hardy species, the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco is an excellent, undemanding candidate for most aquariums. Unlike the widely-seen Common Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus) and Trinidad Pleco (Hypostomus punctatus), which easily reach a monstrous size of 18 to 20+ inches (45 to 51+ cm), the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco grows to a size of only 4 to 5.9 inches (10 to 15 cm). This smaller size makes for a much more manageable (and less messy) pleco that can thrive permanently in a well-maintained aquarium as small as 40 to 55 gallons. Male plecos may be somewhat territorial with other males of their species, but disputes can usually be diffused by providing ample territory and hiding places for each fish. All other tankmates will be generally ignored, although it is possible that small shrimp fry might fall prey to the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco. However, some large-scale shrimp suppliers breed Bristlenose Plecos in the same pools they use for shrimp breeding.
The Starlight Bristlenose Pleco is primarily nocturnal, but will often become active during daytime hours once established in an aquarium with plenty of driftwood, rockwork, and other hiding places. It is not known to eat wood heavily like some plecos (Panaque sp., etc.), but it may benefit from some supplementary wood (or bio-film on driftwood). The Starlight Bristlenose Pleco will not bother most plants, but it will eat plenty of algae in the aquarium, especially as a juvenile. Feed the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco a diet heavy in vegetable matter, including high-quality vegetable flakes, sinking algae wafers and pellets. It will also appreciate being fed some fresh vegetables such as shelled peas, spinach, zucchini and cucumber. Occasional meaty foods such as bloodworms are also beneficial when fed sparingly. This fish eats constantly, so too much meat/animal protein in its diet can be unhealthy for the fish as well as the level of waste it produces in your aquarium.
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:
PH level range: 5.0 – 7.0
Temperature range: 79° – 86° F (26° – 30° C)
KH: 1 – 10 DKH
Minimum tank size: 40 gallons for 1 fish, 75+ gallons for a group
CARE GUIDELINES:
Diet: Omnivorous, but meatier foods should only be fed sparingly
Social behavior: Generally solitary, but will socialize somewhat, especially during breeding.
Origin: Tank-bred, but indigenous to Rio Negro, Brazil.
Average adult size: 4 – 5.9 inches (10 – 15 cm)
Average purchase size: .75 – 1 inches (1.9 – 2.5 cm) for Juveniles, 3 inches (7.5 cm) for Subadults
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L519 | Ancistrus sp. WABENMUSTER Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp. Wabenmuster were originally imported as by-catch with other Ancistrus specimens, so locality data is unavailable and it is currently impossible to identify them as a species. Their common name refers to the honeycomb color pattern covering the body, which is actually rather common among several types of Ancistrus. Specimens available for sale are typically not imported but are bred and traded among fish keepers.
Ancistrus “Wabenmuster”
A good complement to most aquariums, they are not aggressive to other species. Males may fight over territory if kept in too small a tank.
Ancistrus “Wabenmuster”
From Brazil, not otherwise specified. Fish essentially identical to this have been collected in the Yaguas Nature Reserve, Peru.
Breeding Ancistrus Wabenmuster.
All Ancistrus species are cave-breeders, where the male looks after the eggs and young fry.
Ancistrus “Wabenmuster”
FInd Out More About L519 | Ancistrus sp. `WABENMUSTER” Bristlenose Pleco Here
Ancistrus sp. (L325)
Jari Blue Ancistrus, (Blå-Antennesugemalle)
Size – 100mm or 3.9″
Identification: Spots on this species are a metallic sky blue, which is not represented in the above photos as completely as they are in real life.
Sexing: Typical for the genus with males possessing the so-called ”bushy nose”. Females also may have much smaller growths on the head but to a much lesser extent.
Location: Amazon Rio Jari
L032 Bristlenose Pleco
An attractively marked species of Ancistrus found in the Tocantins and Araguaia Rivers in Southeastern Brazil, A. aguaboensis inhabits rocky, relatively fast-moving waters in the wild and is distinguished from other fish in the genus by its uniform, attractive pattern of white spots. Like most other bristlenose plecos, they are hardy and easy to care for. This species is easy to sex and will reproduce in the aquarium, with males displaying much larger and more pronounced bristles along the nose and face.
L255 Spotted Medusa Pleco (Ancistrus sp.)
A colorful and uniquely-shaped Loricariid, the L255 Spotted Medusa Pleco is distinguished from similar species by the bright white spots covering most of the body. Like its close relative the L034, it is found in the clear, fast-moving waters of the Xingu in Brazil where it inhabits rocky shallows. In the aquarium, they prefer clean, well-oxygenated water and ample hiding places in the form of rocks, driftwood, or caves. Although both males and females have extensive bristles on the nose, mature males are easy to distinguish as the bristles grow to a huge size. An omnivore by nature, they will readily accept veggies, sinking prepared foods like Fluval Bug Bites Pleco formula, or Repashy Gel Diet.
Recommended Tank Size: 50 gal Compatibility: Generally peaceful, but can be territorial towards other plecos. Should be offered plenty of caves and other hiding places.
Preferred Water Parameters pH: 6.5 – 7.5 Temp: 78-82F Ammonia: 0ppm Nitrite: 0ppm Nitrate: <30ppm
L519 | Ancistrus sp. `WABENMUSTER
Ancistrus sp. Wabenmuster were originally imported as by-catch with other Ancistrus specimens, so locality data is unavailable and it is currently impossible to identify them as a species. Their common name refers to the honeycomb color pattern covering the body, which is actually rather common among several types of Ancistrus. Specimens available for sale are typically not imported but are bred and traded among fish keepers.
Located in Brazil, no other specified Ancistrus plecos are identical to this have been collected in the Yaguas Nature Reserve,
Ancistrus Breeding / Spawning.
Breeding takes place in hollows, caves and mud holes in banks. Males may clean the inside of the cavity with their suckermouth before allowing the female to approach and inspect the nest.
Courtship includes expanding the dorsal and caudal fins and attempts by the male to escort the female to the nest. While the female inspects the nest, the male keeps close contact. The female may lay 20–200 adhesive eggs, usually to the ceiling of the cavity.
The female plays no role in parental care; the male takes care of its young. Males will clean the eggs and the cavity with its fins and mouth. Males inspect eggs to remove diseased or infertile eggs, and aerates the clutch by fanning them with its pectoral and pelvic fins.
During this time, a male usually will not leave the cavity to feed, or will leave only occasionally and quickly return. The eggs hatch in 4–10 days over a period of 2–6 hours; the male guards the eggs for 7–10 days after hatching. The fry remain in the cave, attaching to the walls and ceiling with their mouths, absorbing their egg yolk sac in 2–4 days and becoming free swimming.
Males of these species are competitive and territorial. Males display to each other by positioning themselves parallel to each other, head to tail, with dorsal and caudal fins erect and cheek odontode spines everted. If this escalates to combat, the males will circle each other and direct attacks at the head. If an intruding male manages to evict another male from the nest, it may cannibalize the other male’s young.
A male bristlenose may guard several clutches of eggs simultaneously. Females prefer males that are already protecting eggs and may prefer males that are protecting larvae; it has been suggested that the tentacles may act as a fry mimic to attract other female bristlenose plecos, which would allow males without eggs in their nest to compete with males guarding eggs. Several clutches in various states of development from eggs to free-swimming larvae can be found in one nest.
KEEPING ANCISTRUS PLECOS
Taking care of Ancistrus is relatively straightforward. Like all tropical fish, regular water changes are key: changing at least 20% of the water once a week is recommended. Water chemistry is not as crucial as in some other cases: while many Ancistrus originate from softer, acidic water, they acclimate well to higher pH and hardness values, particularly if the fish are captive-bred (most Ancistrus available at fish stores are bred in captivity). Despite this, it’s always best to determine the conditions the fish are being kept in when purchasing any type of fish at your local retailer, and to gradually acclimate the fish to the conditions of your aquarium.
When dealing with wild-caught fish, it is important to ensure they are first introduced to very similar water conditions as found in their natural environment. Later, a slow acclimation to slightly different pH and hardness levels can take place, if required.
When catching your Ancistrus, take note that this genus, like most suckermouth catfish, have sharp, stiff pectoral and dorsal fin bones, along with various hooks on their head and mouth area. This means they are prone to seriously tangling and hurting themselves in a typical aquarium net. To safely catch them, use a plastic container instead! Shift your aquarium décor or completely remove it, and then gently guide the fish into the container. If you have to remove your décor, check it carefully before doing so – Ancistrus will cling to it, and you may inadvertently remove the fish from the aquarium along with the décor.
What is the average lifespan of a Ancistrus Bristlenose pleco?
Ancistrus Bristlenose Pleco average lifespan is at least five years, but there have been instances where this fish has lived up to 12 years in captivity! When compared to a lot of the other popular freshwater tropical fish. This is a pretty solid length of time
Tank Size For Your Ancistrus Pleco.
If you plan on purchasing your own Bristlenose Plecos, you need to make sure that they have at least a 25 gallon tank to roam around. Make sure that you adjust your tank size accordingly if you decide to keep them with other fish.
Setting up Your Aquarium & What To Include In Your Fish Tank
When setting up an aquarium that will contain Ancistrus plecos you should choose either sand or fine, smooth aquarium gravel that is 1-3 mm in diameter. Since the fish naturally eat at the bottom of the aquarium, both sharp-edged and larger gravels are to be avoided: the former, as it can over time hurt the fish, and the latter, as food can become trapped and inaccessible to fish within coarser substrates, eventually decomposing. Smooth pebbles, stones, and driftwood should be incorporated into the aquarium as well. Over time, the wood will slowly be consumed by the fish, as they will grind away at the surface and keep it spotless. Take note that driftwood is a mandatory inclusion in an Ancistrus aquarium!
Special Notes.
The Ancistrus species like many plecos has an interesting adaptation of being able to live in water with reduced oxygen. It adapts a part of its digestion system to absorb oxygen from gulps of air, rather like the Corydoras species. When buying Bristlenose Catfish, buying juveniles under 2″ long must be done with caution. They are exceptionally fragile at this size and should only be attempted by experienced fishkeepers with mature tanks teeming with algae ready to go.
Ancistrus Feeding / Diet
Ancistrus are easy to feed: they will accept many types of flake, pellet, tablet and frozen foods on the bottom of your aquarium. Remember, a varied diet is always best! A typical diet should consist of a quality sinking vegetable-based pellet food, a bottom feeder tablet, some fresh greens such as romaine lettuce or a slice of zucchini at least once a week, and some frozen food (vegetable mixes, brine shrimp, bloodworms, mussel, etc.) a few times a week.
Keeping and caring for Ancistrus is highly rewarding! They’re full-time housekeepers, they don’t compete with most other fish for swimming space, they feed at night from the bottom of the tank, and they’re great community fish. Remember, however, they aren’t “cleaner” fish – they require care and attention, like every other fish species
If you’re looking for an interesting, useful addition to your aquarium, try an Ancistrus pleco – you won’t be disappointed!
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