Description
Scientific Name: Ancistrus sp. (Commonly associated with Ancistrus cirrhosus) Common Names: Bristlenose Pleco, Bushynose Pleco, BN Pleco Origin: South America (Amazon River Basin)
Physical Characteristics This is the “wild type” or standard color morph, different from the Albino you uploaded earlier.
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Coloration: The body is a mottled dark brown, black, or olive-grey, covered in small white or yellowish polka dots. This pattern allows them to blend in perfectly with river bottoms.
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The “Bristles”: The fish in your image is likely a male, as it has prominent, branched fleshy tentacles growing from its snout and forehead. Females usually have smooth faces or very tiny bristles just around the lip.
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Size: A major selling point is their size. They max out at 4 to 6 inches (10–15 cm), whereas “Common Plecos” can grow to 2 feet long.
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Mouth: They have a suckermouth located underneath the head, equipped with rasping teeth to grind away algae.
Behavior and Temperament
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Peaceful: They are very gentle tank mates and rarely bother other fish. However, males can be territorial with other male Bristlenose Plecos if they don’t have enough caves.
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Hiding: They are nocturnal. They prefer to hide in caves or under wood during the day and come out to feed at night.
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Hardiness: They are incredibly tough and adaptable fish, tolerating a wide range of water conditions.
Care and Habitat
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Diet: They are vegetarians. While they eat tank algae, you must feed them sinking algae wafers and fresh vegetables like blanched zucchini, cucumber, and green beans.
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Driftwood Essential: Just like the Albino variety, they need natural driftwood in the tank. They rasp on the wood to ingest cellulose (fiber), which is necessary for their digestion.
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Tank Size: A minimum of 20 to 29 gallons is recommended.
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