Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus cirrhosus
Also known as Bushy Nose Pleco, Bristlenose Catfish
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A stocky, whiskered catfish that grazes wood, glass and rock through the night. It is peaceful with other fish, though territorial with its own kind and similar-shaped catfish. Its source figures describe a large wild species, so tank-bred fish may stay smaller. Add driftwood and caves.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 64 US gal
- Footprint
- 47 x 18 in
- Temperature
- 79–86 °F
- pH
- 5–7
- Hardness
- 1–10 dGH
- Swim zone
- Bottom
- Min group
- Single fish
- Lifespan
- 5–12 years
Bristlenose Pleco tank mates and swim zone
Bottom
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Trichopodus leerii
Phenacogrammus interruptus
Pterophyllum scalare
Trichopodus trichopterus
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
Caridina multidentata
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Bristlenose Pleco is much larger than Cardinal Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Bristlenose Pleco is much larger than Ember Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Bristlenose Pleco is much larger than Black Neon Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Bristlenose Pleco is much larger than Glowlight Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Paracheirodon innesi
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Danio rerio
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Common tank-mate questions
Bristlenose Pleco feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed algae wafers and sinking pellets after dark.
- Add blanched vegetables and occasional frozen foods.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Adult males have long, branching bristles on the head. Females have only small bristles around the mouth.
Bristlenose Pleco care mistakes to avoid
- Plan on one as the centerpiece of the tank, and read the tank-mate lists before adding others.
- Check the exact species when buying, because sizes vary and the name covers several fish.
- Add driftwood and caves. It needs wood to graze and shelter of its own.
- Keep only one male in smaller tanks, since males defend territories.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 64 US gallons.
Bristlenose Pleco tank setup
For bigger species and larger schools. Check your stand and floor can carry the weight.
TankAt least 64 US gal (243 L), 120 x 45 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Bristlenose Pleco. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
None of the tanks we recommend is big enough for this species yet. See Best 40-Gallon Breeder Tank (or a 55) for what to look for.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Bristlenose Pleco, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Bristlenose Pleco's temperature range.
None of the kits we recommend fits Bristlenose Pleco yet. See Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For for what to look for.
FilterLarge hang-on-back or canister filter
Handles the extra waste. Canisters also hold more media and run quietly.
Seachem Tidal 75 Power Filter US
Marineland Penguin PRO 275 Power Filter US
Tetra EX 700 Plus External Filter Spain
Seachem Tidal 75 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 40 to 55-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 79–86 °F (26–30 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 200 W at 40 gallons, about 275 W at 55. Enough power for a large volume. Two smaller heaters that add up to that figure add a safety margin.
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 200 W US
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 300 W US
Tetra HT 200 Electronic Heater Spain
Eheim Thermocontrol e 150 Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 40 to 55-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateStrongly recommended to keep on sand with tangles of driftwood, like a jungle stream.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorDriftwood roots and branches, dried leaf litter and a cave for spawning.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Bristlenose Pleco
We have not found a store that sells Bristlenose Pleco under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Bristlenose Pleco FAQ
What size tank do Bristlenose Plecos need?
Our sourced minimum is 64 US gallons (243 liters), with a footprint of 120 x 45 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Bristlenose Plecos should I keep?
One is fine in a tank this size. Add more only with plenty of extra room and cover.
What can live with Bristlenose Plecos?
Good matches on our list include Pearl Gourami, Congo Tetra and Angelfish. Avoid Neon Tetra and Zebra Danio.
How long do Bristlenose Plecos live?
Care guides report about 5–12 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Will a bristlenose pleco clean my tank?
It eats some algae, but it also adds plenty of waste. It helps with algae on glass and wood, but it is not a replacement for maintenance.
Bristlenose Pleco facts and sources
- Family
- Loricariidae
- Native to
- South America
- Adult size
- 7.9 in (20 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Solitary/Centerpiece
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Moderate
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Moderate
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.