Starlight Bristlenose
Ancistrus dolichopterus
Family: Loricariidae • Origin: Various
Starlight Bristlenose (Ancistrus dolichopterus) is a peaceful pleco reaching 5 inches. Can be kept singly. Minimum tank size: 20 gallons.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
5"
Temperature
72-82°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
8 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
5-15 dGH
peacefulintermediateherbivore
Care Tips
- • Max size: 5 inches
- • Temperature: 72-82°F
- • pH: 6-7.5
- • Can be kept alone or in pairs
- • peaceful temperament — safe with community fish
Feeding: Standard herbivore diet. Accepts foods appropriate for Loricariidae species.
Compatibility Notes: Typical peaceful Loricariidae species.
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)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- herbivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Typical peaceful Loricariidae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- cave spawner
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 8 years
Ideal For
20 gallon
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
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"
Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus cirrhosus
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"