All fish / Loricariidae

Temminck's Bristlenose Pleco

Ancistrus temminckii

Also known as temminck's bristlenose, bristlenose pleco, bristlenose catfish, bushynose pleco, bristlenose plec, ancistrus, common bristlenose, l-number bristlenose, ปลาซักเกอร์หนวด, ikan bandaraya janggut, アンシストルス・テミンキー, ブッシープレコ

A small, flattened armoured catfish with a sucker mouth and a brown body covered in pale spots; mature males grow branching fleshy bristles on the snout. It stays far smaller than the common pleco and grazes algae, which makes it a popular cleanup fish for community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Singly or one male with females; males squabble over caves

Diet

Omnivore: algae wafers, blanched courgette and greens, sinking pellets, occasional frozen bloodworm, plus bogwood to rasp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Suriname and French Guiana (Guiana Shield coastal rivers)

Breeding

A cave spawner: the female lays an adhesive clutch inside a cave or pipe and the male guards and fans the eggs until the fry become free swimming. It breeds readily in captivity given caves, clean well oxygenated water and plenty of vegetable food.

Good to know

Much of the trade's 'bristlenose' stock is of uncertain species or hybrid origin, so true A. temminckii is hard to confirm. Provide driftwood and avoid housing several males in small tanks.