All fish / Loricariidae

Ancistrus lithurgicus

Ancistrus lithurgicus

Also known as bristlenose pleco, bristlenose catfish, ancistrus sp., lithurgicus bristlenose

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This is a small, flattened bristlenose catfish with a dark brown body covered in pale spots, and males grow the fleshy bristles on the snout typical of the genus. It is kept for its modest size, hardy nature and habit of grazing algae and biofilm from surfaces.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a group with one male per cave

Diet

Omnivore: algae wafers, blanched vegetables, sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and some wood to rasp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Rio Mamoré drainage (Guaporé basin area), Bolivia and western Brazil

Breeding

A cave spawner: the female lays a clump of eggs inside a cave or tube and the male guards and fans them until the fry are free swimming. Breeding is fairly straightforward in a well-oxygenated tank with suitable caves.

Good to know

Rarely sold under its own name and easily confused with other spotted Ancistrus species, so identification of trade fish is often uncertain. Provide strong current, good oxygen and driftwood.