You can find Bristlenose Pleco in almost every aquarium, as they are hardy and smaller than the Common Pleco. Bristlenose Plecostomus (Ancistrus sp.) is also common because it keeps the tank clean by eating algae.
There are many other names for Bristlenose Pleco. Some are Bushynose Catfish, Bristlenose Catfish, Brushmouth Pleco, and the Common Bristlenose Catfish. No one can beat Bristlenose plecos in hiding or tank cleaning.
Here is a short overview of Pleco that you should keep in mind before discussing more of them.
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Family | Loricariidae |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Color Form | Brown, Albino, Grey, Black |
| Lifespan | 5+ Years |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Size | Up to 5 inches |
| Diet | Omnivorous but mostly have plants |
| Tank Set-Up | Plenty of Caves and Hiding Spaces |
| Minimum Tank Size | 25 Gallons |
Bristlenose Pleco Care Guide
Bristlenose Pleco Appearance
One of the interesting things about Bristlenose is that they can sit motionless for hours and easily blend in their natural habitat. They can be found in black, grey, olive, or brown, and their upper body is darker than their lower body. Also, their body can be seen covered in light white or yellow dots.
Bristlenose catfish are small and can grow up to 3-5 inches. They can be distinguished from Common Pleco by their flat and fat body and a wide head. The adult Pleco has tentacle-like branches over its head and bony plates covering its flattened body.
The tentacles of females are much smaller and less prominent than those of males, Pleco. They have elongated lips and a round mouth with pectoral and abdominal fins, making them perfect suckerfish.
Bristlenose Pleco Temperament and Tank Mates
Bristlenose Plecostomus are non-aggressive fishes who spend most of their time either sucking the side of the glass or at the bottom of the tank. They are easier to keep for both experienced and beginners as they are hardy and will help you keep the tank clean from algae formation.
They can make great companions with other community fish, but don’t put two male Pleco or other species of similar size and shape in the same tank. They can become competitive and aggressive towards each other.
Small or semi-aggressive fish won’t harm them as they have bony armor to protect themselves. Still, keep an eye on them if you plan to keep them together.
Bristlenose Pleco Tank Requirements
It is necessary to keep the conditions of the aquarium similar to those of the fish’s natural habitat. Bristlenose Plecos are native to streams and rivers flowing in South America. Make sure your aquarium has fresh water and a moderate current to create water conditions similar to those of their native place.
The next thing to keep in mind is that Plecos are night dwellers. So, they need plenty of hiding places and shadowed areas to rest during the day. You can use caves, plants, and driftwood for this purpose. The driftwood will also allow algae to grow, which the fish can feed.
| Condition | Parameter |
|---|---|
| Water Temperature | 15-27oC (60-80 F) |
| Water pH | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| Water Hardness | 20 – 25 |
Always look for a larger tank for Bristlenose, especially when keeping other companion fish with them. They produce a significant amount of waste, so the larger the aquarium, the better the conditions for other fish.
The tank should be 25 gallons at minimum and have a large bottom, as they spend most of their time in there. A canister filter combined with an under-gravel water system will maintain the water conditions for Bristlenose and ensure the water is well-oxygenated.
Young Bristlenose is more sensitive to pH change than adults, so it can become challenging for you to maintain it as a beginner. I advise you to go for an adult one to avoid the mess.
If you see Bristlenose running towards the surface, it can indicate that the water contains too much nitrate and ammonia. In other words, the oxygen level is not enough.
Bristlenose Pleco Diet and Feeding
Bristlenose is vegetarian and spends most of the time nibbling on the algae grown on different surfaces. They can feed on algae all day, keeping the tank clean for you and other fish. But algae alone don’t give them a balanced diet. Their diet includes 85% plant and 15% protein. So, it is necessary to feed them protein-rich food to maintain their health.
There are many tablets available in the market that are made specifically for Bristlenose and other algae eaters. Sinking algae wafers or pellets are one of them. You can also feed them different boiled vegetables like peas, carrots, cabbage leaves, cucumbers, etc. Make sure to remove any leftover food within a day, as it can deteriorate and affect the water conditions.
Feeding vegetables daily will provide them with the right amount of fiber they need for growth and good health. But if you can’t do it, you can keep driftwood in the tank to ensure they are getting fiber in their diet. Driftwood will not only provide fiber but will also provide another surface for algae to grow.
Bristlenose is omnivorous, so adding a little amount of meant will also provide the right amount of protein. This is especially true when you are planning to breed them. Apart from the proper diet, taking care of the amount of food you are giving is also necessary.
You can look for many signs to determine whether they are well-fed. One indicator is the coloration of their bodies. Good, bright colors show that they are well-fed.
Another indicator can be the plants in your aquarium. The fish won’t touch them if they are getting ample food, but if they are not, they will start eating the plants. Also, make sure to feed them once or twice a day.
Bristlenose Pleco Breeding
Bristlenose Pleco is an easy-to-breed species of fish. Still, there are things to remember before understanding how to breed.
- Bristlenose Pleco breeds in cooler seasons, so you need to make the tank slightly cooler to make the conditions suitable for them.
- The possibility of the eggs or fry surviving is very low in a community tank, so you need another tank to keep them. While moving the fry, make sure to move whatever it is attached to, as well.
- Make sure there are plenty of caves and driftwood for Bristlenose to choose the best spawn site.
How to breed Bristlenose Pleco?
After making the conditions suitable for breeding, the next step includes identifying the male and female.
It is easy to identify Bristlenose Pleco by the size and position of its bristles. The male’s bristles are long and in the middle of his head. In comparison, the females have short bristles that grow around the surface of their mouths.
If you want to keep both males and females in the tank, ensure more females than males. The males can become aggressive and competitive, especially during the breeding season.
They will fight over the same cave and eat their rival’s eggs if given the opportunity. So, if you have more than one male, then to avoid fighting, make sure you have caves for all of them to claim.
The male first claims the territory and prepares it for eggs by cleaning its surface. If the female Pleco is impressed, she visits the cave and deposits the eggs. The eggs are bright orange and have an adhesive surface. More than one female can lay eggs in the same cave.
The male fertilizes the eggs once the female deposits them on the cave’s surface. To guard the eggs, the male Bristlenose pushes the female fish out of the cave. It takes approximately 4 to 10 days for the eggs to hatch. Until then, the male Bristlenose does everything from cleaning the surface of the egg to aerating it with the fins.
After the eggs hatch, it takes 2 to 4 days for the fry to come out and swim. Until then, they completely absorb their egg sacks while attached to the surface of the cave.
Once they start swimming, they also start feeding on the algae. To provide additional nutrition, you can feed them mashed vegetables like peas. This will keep them healthy and help their growth.
Within six months, you will find them as big as their parents.
Should You Pet Bristlenose Pleco?
Bristlenose Pleco is a very useful fish that will not only add variation and beauty to the tank but also help keep it clean. As you read above, they are quite hardy. They are also very easy to look after, so even a beginner can have them.
The equipment can be handy, but no one likes to see it hanging around their aquarium. If you were looking for an alternative to an algae remover machine, then this algae eater is the best choice for you.
What are the other characteristics that you find attractive about them? Let us know in the comment section.
