Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus cirrhosus
Family: Loricariidae • Origin: South America
The Bristlenose Pleco stays under 5 inches unlike the Common Pleco (18"+). Hardy, effective algae eater, easy to breed.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
5"
Temperature
72-82°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
12 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
2-20 dGH
peacefulbeginnerherbivore
Care Tips
- • MUST have driftwood for digestion
- • Supplement with vegetables
- • Stays much smaller than Common Pleco
- • Males develop bristles
- • Needs a cave for hiding
Feeding: Algae wafers, blanched zucchini, driftwood (essential).
Compatibility Notes: Peaceful but may be territorial with other bottom-dwellers in small tanks.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- pH Range
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 2–20
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- Yes
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- herbivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Peaceful but may be territorial with other bottom-dwellers in small tanks.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- cave spawner
- Breeding Difficulty
- easy
- Lifespan
- 12 years
Ideal For
20 galloncommunityalgae controlbeginners
Compatible Tank Mates
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Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Similar Species
Whiptail Catfish
Rineloricaria lanceolata
72-79°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
peaceful5"
Starlight Bristlenose
Ancistrus dolichopterus
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
peaceful5"
L134 Leopard Frog Pleco
Peckoltia compta
77-86°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
peaceful4.5"
Flash Pleco
Panaqolus albivermis L204
77-84°FpH 6.5-7.520+ gal
peaceful5"