{"product_id":"bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater","title":"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\u003eBushynose Pleco\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eAncistrus\u003c\/em\u003e sp.), also called the Bristlenose Pleco, is the pleco we recommend more than any other. It tops out around four to five inches instead of the eighteen inches a Common Pleco will reach, it is genuinely one of the best algae eaters in the hobby, and it is tough enough for a first tank. Mature males grow a crown of fleshy tentacles across the snout that gives the fish its name and makes it one of the more characterful catfish you can own. Care level is beginner, temperament is peaceful. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive fish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to round out the tank.\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;\"\u003eChoose Your Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmall:\u003c\/strong\u003e young juveniles, usually an inch or two. Too young to sex, and the bristles have not developed yet. The economical way to buy a group.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge:\u003c\/strong\u003e grown-out fish with real size on them. Males at this stage are showing their bristles, so you have a much better chance of picking the look you want.\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;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons for one, 30 gallons or more for a group or a breeding pair. They stay small, but they are messy eaters and appreciate the extra water volume.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDriftwood is required, not decorative:\u003c\/strong\u003e bushynose plecos genuinely rasp on wood, and the fiber it provides is part of how they digest. A tank with no \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/malaysian-driftwood-freshwater-aquascaping-hardwood\"\u003edriftwood\u003c\/a\u003e is a tank where a bushynose will not thrive long term.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e mostly herbivore. Algae in the tank is never enough on its own. Feed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-algae-wafers\"\u003ealgae wafers\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-scrapers-sinking-wafers-pleco-food\"\u003esinking pleco wafers\u003c\/a\u003e after lights out, plus blanched vegetables like zucchini, cucumber, and deshelled peas. A little protein now and then is welcome, but greens should be the backbone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 80°F, pH 6.5 to 7.8, soft to moderately hard. This is a genuinely adaptable fish that does fine in most tap water once dechlorinated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCaves:\u003c\/strong\u003e give each fish somewhere dark to sit out the day. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquavitro-ceramic-hide-b3-aquarium-log-cave\"\u003eCeramic caves\u003c\/a\u003e, wood tangles, or stacked rock all work. Males claim a cave and defend it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBehavior:\u003c\/strong\u003e nocturnal by nature but quickly learns feeding time and will come out in daylight once settled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e one of the easiest egg-laying fish in the hobby. The male picks a cave, cleans it, guards the eggs, and fans the fry until they are free swimming. Many keepers end up with babies without ever trying.\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.\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;\"\u003eBushynose Pleco, Bristlenose Pleco, Bristlenose Catfish\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;\"\u003eSouth America, Amazon and Orinoco basins. Tank bred.\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 (10 to 13 cm)\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\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;\"\u003e72 to 80°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 7.8\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, algae and vegetables\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCave spawner, paternal care, easy\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 only\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\u003eAbout as easygoing as community fish get. Bushynose plecos ignore mid-water fish entirely and mix well with tetras, rasboras, barbs, livebearers, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003ecorydoras\u003c\/a\u003e, and most peaceful cichlids. They are also fine with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-dwarf-neocaridina-shrimp\"\u003edwarf shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/racetrack-nerite-snail-vittina-sp-freshwater\"\u003enerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMales are territorial with other male \u003cem\u003eAncistrus\u003c\/em\u003e over caves, so in a smaller tank keep one male with one or more females, or provide a cave for every male. Avoid very aggressive cichlids and any fish large enough to swallow them. Also skip known fin-nippers, since a resting pleco is an easy target.\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\/hikari-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e, the everyday staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-scrapers-sinking-wafers-pleco-food\"\u003eXtreme Scrapers Sinking Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e, built specifically for plecos\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-soilent-green-algae-gel-food\"\u003eRepashy Soilent Green\u003c\/a\u003e, an algae gel they go crazy for\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/malaysian-driftwood-freshwater-aquascaping-hardwood\"\u003eMalaysian Driftwood\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/galapagos-cholla-wood-branches-6-inch-3-pack-shrimp-pleco\"\u003eCholla Wood\u003c\/a\u003e for rasping and cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquavitro-ceramic-hide-b3-aquarium-log-cave\"\u003eAquaVitro Ceramic Hide\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 do I tell males from females?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBy the bristles. Mature males grow long fleshy tentacles across the whole snout and forehead. Females have only a few short bristles around the very edge of the snout, or none at all. Juveniles cannot be sexed reliably, so buy the Large size if you want to choose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it really keep my glass clean?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt will do a lot of the work, which is more than most fish sold as algae eaters. Just do not treat algae as its whole diet. An underfed pleco will start rasping on plants, and a starving one simply wastes away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is this different from the L-129 pleco you sell?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlmost completely. Our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/l129-false-zebra-pleco-hypancistrus-debilittera-freshwater\"\u003eL-129 False Zebra Pleco\u003c\/a\u003e is a small carnivore that needs meaty foods and will not eat your algae. The Bushynose is the herbivore and the actual algae eater. They make excellent tankmates for exactly that reason.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this the same as a Common Pleco?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, and the difference matters. A Common Pleco (\u003cem\u003ePterygoplichthys\u003c\/em\u003e) reaches a foot and a half and outgrows nearly every home aquarium. The Bushynose stops at four or five inches, which is why it is the one we point beginners toward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":48892814917851,"sku":"420331","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":48892814950619,"sku":"420332","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/d426f158-dcb1-485f-9c56-7f6132fd0276.png?v=1785025064","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}