Bristlenose Pleco Size report

Bristlenose pleco, the scientific name is Ancistrus Cirrhosus. "Ancistrus" comes from the Greek word "a cistron," which means hook. As the name describes, Bristlenose pleco has bristles on its nose, head, and lips. These bristles grow with the fish as they age.

There are many varieties of Ancistrus, some of which have become an important part of the aquarium hobby. Their omnivorous diet consists mostly of algae, making them ideal aquarium fish. You can easily get one for three to four dollars in the market. They are peaceful and friendly fish, which are great to keep in aquariums as pet fish.

Bristlenose Plecos originate in the freshwater rivers and streams of South America, mainly the Amazon Basin. Bristlenose plecos are commonly found in the wild and are easily obtained in the pet trade. You could learn more about the basics of Bristlenose pleco by reading the following post.

Bristlenose Pleco General Description

The Bristlenose pleco originates in South America, mainly in the fast-flowing waters of the Amazon River Basin. They can also be found in some other South and Central American regions, including Panama. Bristlenose plecos are bottom-dwelling fish, and their preferred environment is shallow waters. The fish can hold onto plants and driftwood in the wild and climb tree roots that poke out of the water with their mouths. The pleco’s powerful suction mouth holds onto rocks and wood in fast currents. Bristlenose plecos are also easily obtained in the pet trade.

Quick Facts

Appearance

One of the Bristlenose pleco's characteristics is the bristles that grow from their nose. Typically, bristles start to appear once the fish reaches maturity, about 6 months of age. All Bristlenose plecos have bristles. However, they are much longer and tend to grow higher up on males' heads. Bristlenose plecos have a mouth located on the bottom of their bodies, making it easier for them to consume algae from the substrate and cling onto vertical surfaces. Bristlenose plecos can easily attach to underwater rocks or sunken wood with such a mouth structure, and the flat body also reduces the resistance in the rapids.

Another feature is the protective bone plates on the surface of their body. They are brown, green, or gray with white or yellow spots. These bony plates cover the head and back to the tail, and some species have intact bony plates protecting the adult abdomen.

Average Size

The Bristlenose pleco is one of the smallest catfish, growing to only 3 to 5 inches. Females are larger and rounder than males. In the wild, Bristlenose plecos grow up to eight inches long. With the right care, Bristlenose plecos can live beyond five years. Some Bristlenose plecos live for ten years or longer.

Living Haibits and Feeding

Bristlenose pleco is nocturnal and likes to eat, swim around, and burrow at night. They often appear around the driftwood, roots, plants, and caves, letting them hide during the day. Although they are herbivores, they do not harm live plants, eating mainly algae.

Bristlenose Pleco as Pet Fish Requirements

Bristlenose plecos are excellent fish for aquariums, providing good viewing and helping to keep the aquarium free of algae. Bristlenose plecos are bright-colored fish commonly found in aquariums. They are algae eaters, but usually, aquariums don't have enough algae to keep them fed; you also need to provide plecos flakes. Plecos are omnivores, so you can also feed them shrimp, zucchini, kale, and more.

It isn't easy to raise Bristlenose pleco, a very slow-growing fish with high requirements on the tank environment, water quality, and feeding. Exotic fish are susceptible to bacteria after long-distance transportation, so it is best to quarantine them before entering the tank.

Tank Environment

As we mentioned earlier, Bristlenose Plecos originated from the Amazon. So, the key to keeping them healthy is replicating the conditions they encounter in the wild. They thrive in warmer temperatures, moderate water flow, and plenty of oxygen.

1. Bristlenose plecos require a medium tank of between 30 and 40 gallons, with 10 gallons per additional Bristlenose pleco.
2. A 3 inches deep sandy soil substrate with plenty of plants rocks. Make sure you always have a few pieces of driftwood in your aquarium so your pleco can suck and scrape it off.
3. Bristlenose pleco is a species with a large amount of food and a large amount of excretion, and its destructive ability to water quality is quite strong. You should change the water frequently, maybe 1-2 times a week, but be careful not to reduce the water's acidity drastically.
4. It is better to keep the water temperature at 23-27°C.

Tank Mates

They are peaceful, friendly, and get along with most other peaceful and even semi-aggressive fish in the tank. It makes them a great addition to any community. Just steer clear of fish that resemble the Bristlenose plecos in shape and size. All you need to do to make sure they thrive is to feed them the right food, give them plenty of places to explore and hide and keep aggressive fish away from them.