{"product_id":"longfin-black-bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater","title":"Longfin Black 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\u003eLongfin Black Bushynose Pleco\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eAncistrus\u003c\/em\u003e sp.) takes the hobby's favorite small algae eater and adds long, flowing fins in a dark, near black body. The extended dorsal, pectoral, and tail fins drape behind it as it glides across driftwood, which gives a hardworking cleanup fish a surprisingly elegant look. It stays small, stays peaceful, and eats algae off glass, wood, and rock, which is why a Bushynose is the pleco we recommend for almost every community tank. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e and our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003efish collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\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, which reaches 18 inches or more. A Bushynose tops out around 4 to 5 inches, not counting the long fins, and is comfortable in a 20 or 30 gallon tank. The longfin trait is purely about looks: care, size, and diet are the same as our standard \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003eBushynose Pleco\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/albino-pleco\"\u003eBushy Nose Albino Gold\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-eye-lemon-bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003eBlue Eye Lemon Bushynose Pleco\u003c\/a\u003e. The only extra care is protecting the fins, covered below.\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 matters for their digestion. \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\u003eProtect the fins:\u003c\/strong\u003e long fins snag on sharp rock and rough decor and are the first place poor water shows up as fin rot. Choose smooth hardscape, keep up with weekly water changes, and keep fin nipping fish out of the tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons for one, 30 or more for a pair or alongside 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. Adaptable and happy in ordinary tap water treated with a conditioner.\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, and make sure faster tankmates are not stealing the wafers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHiding spots:\u003c\/strong\u003e give it a cave or an overhang to rest 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 also 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 ignore 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\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., longfin black 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;\"\u003eLongfin Black Bushynose Pleco, Longfin Bristlenose Pleco, Veil Bristlenose\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\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\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e4 to 5 inches body length, plus fins\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;\"\u003eCaptive bred ornamental line. 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\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater\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\u003eAn easy fish to add to a peaceful community. It works the glass, wood, and rocks and ignores everything swimming above it, so it fits under calm fish like the \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, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/honey-gourami-trichogaster-chuna-freshwater\"\u003eHoney Gourami\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, grazing 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. Mixing colors with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003eBushynose Pleco\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-eye-lemon-bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003eBlue Eye Lemon Bushynose\u003c\/a\u003e looks great, 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 Fin nippers such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras will go after those long fins. Large or aggressive cichlids will harass a small pleco, and a 1.5 inch fish is small enough to be bullied or eaten. 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\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-scrapers-sinking-wafers-pleco-food\"\u003eXtreme Scrapers Sinking Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e everyday pleco staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e vegetable wafer for night feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-morning-wood\"\u003eRepashy Morning Wood\u003c\/a\u003e gel food with wood fiber\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 of body, with the fins trailing a bit beyond that. This is not the pleco that outgrows tanks. Common Plecos hit 18 inches or more, but Bushynose stay small for life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre the long fins delicate?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA little. They are healthy fins, just longer, so they tear more easily on sharp decor and show poor water quality sooner. Smooth hardscape, clean water, and no fin nippers keep them flowing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it stay black?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt stays dark, but like all Bushynose it can lighten or show faint spotting when stressed, resting on pale sand, or during the day. The deepest color shows on dark wood in a settled tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen do the bristles appear?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot yet at this size. Males grow the branched bristles across the snout as they mature, usually around a year old, while females stay mostly smooth. Buying young means you will not know the sex for a while.\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 slowly starves in a clean tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49318857867483,"sku":"8580680","price":10.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/longfin-black-bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}