Bristlenose pleco
Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus
The go-to glass cleaner: a compact 5-inch pleco with bushy whiskers on the males that needs a cave and vegetables, not just algae.
Key facts
- Body length
- 4.9 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 17 gallons
- Group
- Alone is fine
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Algae wafers, blanched zucchini, spirulina, occasional bloodworm
- Origin
- South America (captive-bred aquarium form)
- Hardier than62%
- Bigger than66%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Bristlenose pleco tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cardinal tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasBristlenose pleco attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Panda corydoras.Risky
- OtocinclusBristlenose pleco attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Otocinclus.Risky
- Tiger barbTiger barb nips fins; Bristlenose pleco is vulnerable (slow swimmer). Risk is reduced: the group is at least the recommended size.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 7500 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Chinese algae eaterTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 8550 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Common plecoBristlenose pleco attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Amazon sailfin catfish (common pleco).Risky
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Bristlenose pleco: prey body depth 2.5 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Bristlenose pleco: prey body depth 2.5 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Marbled crayfishMarbled crayfish should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Redclaw crayfishRedclaw crayfish eats bottom fish: Bristlenose pleco.Avoid
- AxolotlAxolotl should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for bristlenose plecos: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 12.5 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 39.06 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 8.66 BU
- Min. water
- 54 L net
- Min. footprint
- 60 × 30 cm per pair
- Group
- 1+ (best 2)
- Swims in
- bottom
- Flow
- moderate
- Body / fins
- depressed flat, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore plant
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Care notes
Bristlenose plecos in the trade are captive-bred, and males grow branching tentacles on the snout. They rasp algae from glass and wood mostly at night and spend the day tucked into caves.
One or a pair fits a 15 gallon tank with a 24 by 12 inch footprint. Males claim caves and chase other plecos, so give each male his own cave, and feed zucchini or spirulina wafers because algae alone is not enough.
Questions
What size tank does a bristlenose pleco need?
At least 17 gallons (54 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 4.9 inches without fins.
How many bristlenose plecos should be kept together?
One is fine. They do not need company of their own kind.
What water do bristlenose plecos need?
70–79 °F, pH 5.5–7.5 and 1–15 dGH. Bristlenose plecos come from South America (captive-bred aquarium form).
How long do bristlenose plecos live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with bristlenose plecos?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Cherry shrimp and Betta. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.