Bristlenose pleco size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 13 cm. Record sizes among the 4 Ancistrus species on LumaReef: 6.6 cm (Ancistrus claro) to 14.5 cm (Starlight Bristlenose Catfish).

Bristlenose pleco tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 75 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.

Bristlenose pleco water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 20–27 °C, pH 6.0–7.6, hardness 2–15 °dGH. Cooler than most Ancistrus on LumaReef (25–30 °C).

Bristlenose pleco tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 84 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Swordtail, Sailfin molly, and Freshwater angelfish.

FreshwaterIn the market150 coinsUncommon

Bristlenose pleco

Ancistrus cirrhosus

It sticks to glass and wood scraping algae, mostly on the night shift.

The Bristlenose pleco (Ancistrus cirrhosus) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae. It lives on the bottom. Adults grow to about 13 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 75 cm long and water at 20–27 °C.

Size: 13 cm
Smallest tank: 75 cm
Temperature: 20–27 °C
Care: Easy

In the aquarium

Temperature20–27 °C

pH6.0–7.6

Hardness2–15 °dGH

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Calm
Water layer: Bottom
Group: Lives on its own
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litres12 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres21 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres46 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres85 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres102 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along84 species

and 60 more species

Caution6 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: On the bottom

Conservation status

Classification

OrderSiluriformes
FamilyLoricariidae
GenusAncistrus
SpeciesAncistrus cirrhosus
Described byValenciennes, 1836

In other languages

English: Jumbie Teta
Russian: Усатый сомик-анцистр

Quick answers

Bristlenose pleco size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 13 cm. Record sizes among the 4 Ancistrus species on LumaReef: 6.6 cm (Ancistrus claro) to 14.5 cm (Starlight Bristlenose Catfish).
Bristlenose pleco tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 75 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.
Bristlenose pleco water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 20–27 °C, pH 6.0–7.6, hardness 2–15 °dGH. Cooler than most Ancistrus on LumaReef (25–30 °C).
Bristlenose pleco tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 84 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Swordtail, Sailfin molly, and Freshwater angelfish.
Bristlenose pleco: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Bristlenose pleco and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.