{"product_id":"blue-eye-lemon-bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater","title":"Blue Eye Lemon Bushynose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBlue Eye Lemon Bushynose Pleco\u003c\/strong\u003e is a selectively bred \u003cem\u003eAncistrus\u003c\/em\u003e that trades the usual mottled brown for a solid lemon yellow body and a pair of genuinely blue eyes. It is not an albino, which is the common mix-up: albinos have pink or red eyes, and this line holds true blue against clean yellow, which is a far harder look to get and the reason these cost more than a standard bristlenose. Underneath the color it is the same excellent fish, a hardworking algae grazer that stays small, minds its own business, and spends the evening rasping away at driftwood. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the tank around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eIt stays small, unlike the pleco you are thinking of\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fish most people picture when they hear \"pleco\" is a Common Pleco, and it reaches 18 to 24 inches and needs a tank the size of a couch. A Bushynose tops out around 4 to 5 inches and is comfortable in a 20 or 30 gallon. If you have been told plecos outgrow everything, this is the one that does not, and it is why \u003cem\u003eAncistrus\u003c\/em\u003e is the only pleco most aquarists should be buying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDriftwood is not decoration.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bushynose plecos rasp on wood constantly and the fiber it provides matters for their digestion. A tank with no wood in it is a tank where this fish does noticeably worse. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/malaysian-driftwood-freshwater-aquascaping-hardwood\"\u003eMalaysian Driftwood\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-scapers-select-driftwood-freshwater-aquarium-hardwood\"\u003eCaribSea Scapers Select\u003c\/a\u003e, or a few \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/galapagos-cholla-wood-branches-6-inch-3-pack-shrimp-pleco\"\u003eCholla Wood branches\u003c\/a\u003e all do the job.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons for one, 30 or more if you want a pair or other bottom dwellers. Floor space matters more than height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 73 to 81°F, pH 6.5 to 7.5, hardness 6 to 15 dGH. Genuinely adaptable and happy in ordinary tap water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e algae is a start, not a diet. Once the tank is clean they need real food: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-scrapers-sinking-wafers-pleco-food\"\u003eXtreme Scrapers Sinking Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-morning-wood\"\u003eRepashy Morning Wood\u003c\/a\u003e, plus blanched zucchini. Feed after lights out, since they do most of their work at night.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHiding spots:\u003c\/strong\u003e give it a cave or an overhang to sit under during the day. A \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-dark-rock-cave-aquarium-hide-bettas-shrimp-plecos\"\u003eHikari Dark Rock Cave\u003c\/a\u003e doubles as a spawning site if you end up with a pair.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow many:\u003c\/strong\u003e one male per tank unless it is large. Males are peaceful toward other species but will defend a cave against another male. A male and a female get along fine and will very likely breed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 years and beyond, so this is a long term resident rather than a disposable cleanup fish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAncistrus\u003c\/em\u003e sp., Blue Eye Lemon line\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlue Eye Lemon Bushynose Pleco, Lemon Blue Eye Bristlenose, LBE Ancistrus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLoricariidae, the suckermouth catfishes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, males territorial with other male plecos\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e4 to 5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurrent size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 1.5 inches, young\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e73 to 81°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.5 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6 to 15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHerbivore leaning omnivore, needs driftwood and sinking vegetable foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5 years or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eTank bred. Wild \u003cem\u003eAncistrus\u003c\/em\u003e come from South American rivers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the easiest fish to add to an existing community. It works the glass, wood, and rocks and ignores everything swimming above it, so it slots in under almost anything peaceful: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-paracheirodon-innesi-freshwater\"\u003eNeon Tetra\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmber Tetra\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-danio-danio-rerio-freshwater\"\u003eZebra Danio\u003c\/a\u003e, and bottom dwellers like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/skunk-cory-corydoras-arcuatus-freshwater\"\u003eSkunk Cory\u003c\/a\u003e. The \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus Catfish\u003c\/a\u003e pairs well since it grazes soft film on plants while the pleco handles tougher growth on hardscape. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e and snails are safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOther plecos.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep one male. If you want a second color in the tank, our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/albino-pleco\"\u003eBushy Nose Albino Gold\u003c\/a\u003e is the same species in a different morph, but two males will compete for the same cave. A male and a female is the pairing that works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to watch.\u003c\/strong\u003e Large aggressive cichlids will harass a small pleco, and a young 1.5 inch fish is small enough to be bullied. Add it to an established peaceful tank rather than a rough one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/malaysian-driftwood-freshwater-aquascaping-hardwood\"\u003eMalaysian Driftwood\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/galapagos-cholla-wood-branches-6-inch-3-pack-shrimp-pleco\"\u003eCholla Wood branches\u003c\/a\u003e, the one thing not to skip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-scrapers-sinking-wafers-pleco-food\"\u003eXtreme Scrapers Sinking Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-morning-wood\"\u003eRepashy Morning Wood\u003c\/a\u003e gel food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-dark-rock-cave-aquarium-hide-bettas-shrimp-plecos\"\u003eHikari Dark Rock Cave\u003c\/a\u003e for daytime shelter and spawning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big does it actually get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e4 to 5 inches, full stop. This is not the pleco that outgrows tanks. Common Plecos hit 18 inches or more, which is where the reputation comes from, but Bushynose are a completely different animal and stay small for life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it the same as an albino bristlenose?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Albinos have pink or red eyes and a paler, creamier body. The Blue Eye Lemon carries true blue eyes against a saturated yellow, which is a separate and harder to produce line. Side by side the difference is obvious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen do the bristles appear?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt this size, not yet. Males grow the branched bristles across the snout as they mature, usually around a year old, while females stay mostly smooth with a few short bristles along the edge. Buying at 1.5 inches means you will not know the sex for a while, which is part of the fun if you are hoping for a pair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it clean my whole tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt will do real work on algae, but it is a fish, not a filter. Once it has grazed what is available it needs sinking wafers and vegetables of its own, and a pleco left to live on algae alone will slowly starve in a clean tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49012863336667,"sku":"FW1-F6628","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/ea036cf7-e14a-419b-834c-752e92c7694b.png?v=1784882740","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-eye-lemon-bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}