Midwest Aquarium and Pond Supplier LLC
(191) Bristlenose Pleco
(191) Bristlenose Pleco
Giá thông thường
$4.99 USD
Giá thông thường
Giá ưu đãi
$4.99 USD
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The bristlenose plecis a peaceful, smaller species of armored catfish popular in the aquarium hobby. Unlike the common pleco, which can grow to two feet, the bristlenose reaches a manageable adult size of 4 to 5 inches, making it suitable for community tanks
is a peaceful, smaller species of armored catfish popular in the aquarium hobby. Unlike the common pleco, which can grow to two feet, the bristlenose reaches a manageable adult size of 4 to 5 inches, making it suitable for community tanksVarieties
Bristlenose plecos come in a variety of colors and fin types.
- Standard Bristlenose: Typically brown or mottled with lighter spots.
- Albino: A white or yellow variant with red eyes.
- Super Red: A line-bred variant that is a deep red-orange color.
- Lemon and Blue-Eyed Lemon: Bright yellow or lemon-colored variants, sometimes with blue eyes.
- Green Dragon: A variant with a distinctive dark green, marbled pattern.
- Longfin: A variation with flowing, elongated fins, available in many colors.
Care guide
Tank requirements
- Tank size: A minimum tank size of 20 to 29 gallons is recommended for a single adult bristlenose pleco, with larger tanks needed for groups.
- Decor: These nocturnal fish need plenty of hiding spots to feel secure during the day. This can be created with driftwood, caves, roots, and plants.
- Filtration: Good filtration and water movement are important, as the species comes from fast-flowing streams in South America.
- Substrate: As bottom-dwellers that forage, they are well-suited to tanks with a gravel or sand substrate.
Water parameters
Bristlenose plecos are adaptable but thrive in stable conditions.
- Temperature: 72–80°F (23–27°C).
- pH: A broad range from 6.5 to 7.8 is tolerated.
- Water Hardness: From soft to moderately hard.
Feeding
While they are excellent algae eaters, they require a varied diet to stay healthy.
- Plant matter: Provide algae wafers, sinking herbivore pellets, and fresh vegetables like blanched zucchini, cucumber, or shelled peas.
- Driftwood: Supplement their diet with driftwood, which provides essential fiber for their digestive system.
- Protein: Offer meaty foods like bloodworms sparingly.
- Schedule: Since they are most active at night, feed them just before turning off the aquarium lights.
Behavior and tank mates
- Temperament: Bristlenose plecos are generally peaceful and compatible with most community fish.
- Territoriality: Males can be territorial toward other plecos and bottom-dwelling species. Providing plenty of space and hides can help reduce conflicts.
- Potential Issues: In rare cases, they may bother large, slow-moving fish with soft bodies, like discus or fancy goldfish, by attempting to feed on their slime coat. Keeping your pleco well-fed generally prevents this behavior.
Breeding
- Differentiation: Males develop large, fleshy bristles on their snouts as they mature, while females have few or none. Males are also typically larger.
- Process: Breeding is straightforward in a home aquarium. Males will claim a cave and attract a female to lay eggs. The male then guards and fans the eggs until they hatch.
- Fry Care: Once the fry have consumed their yolk sacs, they can be fed algae, blanched vegetables, and powdered fry food.
Common questions
- Are they good for cleaning tanks? While they consume a lot of algae, they also produce a significant amount of waste (a "bio-load"), so they are not a substitute for proper tank maintenance and water changes.
- How long do they live? A bristlenose pleco can live for 5 to 10 years, and sometimes up to 12, with proper care.
