All fish / Loricariidae

Big-eyed Bristlenose Pleco

Ancistrus macrophthalmus

Also known as l118, l156, ldA 32, big eye bristlenose, bigeye ancistrus, starlight bristlenose, l-118, l-156, アンシストルス・マクロフタルムス, 大眼胡子异型

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A small bristlenose catfish with dark brown to black body covered in fine white or cream spots, and unusually large eyes for the genus. Males grow the typical fleshy bristles on the snout. Keepers like it for its striking spotted look, modest size and its habit of grazing biofilm.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

24 to 29 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Singly or a pair; males defend caves

Diet

Omnivore: algae wafers, blanched vegetables, sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, plus driftwood to rasp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Venezuela and Colombia: upper Orinoco basin

Breeding

A cave spawner: the female lays eggs in a narrow cave and the male guards and fans them until the fry are free swimming. It breeds fairly readily in clean, warm, well oxygenated water with suitable caves.

Good to know

Needs strong flow, high oxygen and clean water, as it comes from fast rocky rivers. Several L-numbers are sold under this name, so the true identity of traded fish can be uncertain.