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Bristlenose Catfish
SKU TG841
$17.90
4 payments of $4.48 with
Price incl. GST (15%) $2.33
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Bristlenose Catfish
Product Details
Bristlenose Catfish (Ancistrus cirrhosus / Ancistrus sp.)
NOT AVAILABLE FOR SHIPPING - In-store Only
Overview: The Bristlenose Catfish (widely known as the Bristlenose Pleco) is one of the most useful and beloved bottom-dwellers in the aquarium hobby. They are easily recognized by their flattened bodies, bony armor plating, and a downward-facing sucker mouth. However, their defining feature is the array of soft, fleshy tentaclesâor bristlesâthat sprout from the snout of mature individuals. They come in several beautiful color varieties, including the classic mottled brown/black, Albino (yellow with red eyes), and the stunning "Super Red."
Origins: They are native to the fast-flowing, oxygen-rich rivers and creeks of South America, particularly within the Amazon River basin. They have evolved to cling onto rocks and submerged logs in heavy currents using their powerful sucker mouths.
Personality: Bristlenose Plecos are peaceful, industrious, and mostly solitary. They spend their days meticulously rasping away at driftwood, rocks, and glass, making them absolute superstars at keeping a tank clean. While they are completely peaceful toward other fish, mature males can be highly territorial over a favorite cave or breeding site and will playfully "shove" other bottom-dwellers away.
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Care Level: Very Easy
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Temperament: Peaceful (Territorial with other male plecos)
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Diet: Herbivore/Omnivore (They require algae wafers, sinking pellets, and fresh vegetables like blanched zucchini, cucumber, or repashy gel. Real driftwood is mandatory in the tank, as they digest the wood cellulose to aid their digestion).
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Max Size: 10 â 12.5 cm (The perfect "dwarf" alternative to the Common Pleco, which reaches a massive 50 cm!)
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Family: Loricariidae
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Tank Size: 100 Litres minimum
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Temperature: 23°C â 27°C
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pH: 6.5 â 7.5
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Should be kept in groups? They can be kept singly or as a male-female pair. Avoid keeping multiple males in a smaller tank, as they will constantly bicker over territory.
Fun Fact (The Facial Bristles): Both sexes can have bristles, but the males grow a massive, elaborate "beard" of tentacles that extend all the way up their forehead. Females usually have no bristles at all, or just a few small ones along the very edge of their lip!
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