Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus)

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Paranà river basin and Rio de la Plata system (Argentina, Brazil). Populates flowing and well-oxygenated waters, hiding under tangles of submerged roots and large smooth stones during the day.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Bristlenose Pleco. The Loricariid par excellence. Stocky, armored with bony plates, with a labial sucker mouth. Unlike the huge Plecostomus (Hypostomus), the Ancistrus remains small, never exceeding 15 cm (6 inches).

Social Behavior: Peaceful with fish of other species, but highly territorial on the bottom. Patrols its wood and cave, chasing away with blows of its tail other bottom fish that try to approach its spirulina tablet.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Camouflaged for dark bottoms: brown or black mottled with tiny ocher/yellow dots. Dominant males are unmistakable thanks to the grotesque and intricate tentacles (barbels) that literally explode from their snout. Females have a smooth snout profile.

Aquarium Setup: Minimum 80-100 cm (32-40 inches) tank. The furnishings must include abundant BOGWOOD or MOPANI WOOD, essential sources of cellulose. Provide terracotta caves (half-moons or tubes) to allow it to retreat into the dark. Very attached to the territory it chooses.

Diet and Feeding: They incessantly scrape tender slimy algae, but in the aquarium MUST be provided with a targeted diet: spirulina tablets, slices of cucumber, zucchini or sweet potato. They rarely eat protein residues (e.g. bloodworms), which if in excess can cause intestinal blockages.

Water Quality: A real tank in terms of tolerance, provided the water is well oxygenated. Temperatures 22-28°C (71-82°F), neutral/slightly acidic pH (6.0-7.5), tolerates hard water. If you see it constantly going to the surface to "suck" air, oxygen is too low.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Ideal for almost any South American or Asian community aquarium (Tetras, Rasboras, Gouramis, small Cichlids). Absolutely NOT to be kept in pairs of males unless the tank is huge (over 150 cm / 5 feet), as they would fight bitterly injuring each other.

Aquarium Reproduction: Very prolific species. The male invites the female into a dark crevice; she lays clusters of large orange eggs and is then chased away. The male does not eat for days, caring for the eggs. The young are born with a large yolk sac and immediately need blanched vegetables.

Risks and Diseases: Extremely robust, almost immune to Ich. Suffer lethally from the lack of vegetable food (a sunken abdomen is a terminal sign). Beware of aquarium medications and salt: being scaleless, they absorb them in lethal quantities.