These fish are often kept by aquarists as they are dutiful algae-eaters and smaller in adult size than the common plecos usually seen in pet shops.
They reach up to 15 cm in males, and 12 cm in females.
Their recommended temperature 23–27 degrees Celsius.
Their lifespan is up to 12 years.
They are hardy animals, tolerant to a wide range of water conditions.
They breed easily in captivity, and are compatible with most other freshwater fish.
Though typically mottled brown or black-and-grey spotted in color, other species are more exotic – spots of bright yellow on a dark background being a common pattern.
Albino variants are also common.
The albino morph is not caused by exposure to light during development, it is a morph controlled by genetics.

Historically commonly available species of Ancistrus were Ancistrus cirrhosus and Ancistrus temminckii, other species are now available, though exact identification is difficult.

Feeding is easy, bristlenoses will graze on algae/ algae wafers and other surface growing organisms as well as eating algae wafers or tablets, flake food, squash, spinach, cucumber, zucchini, green beans peas and even sliced carrots.
They have also been known to accept frozen bloodworms as part of their diet.
Aquarium specimens may starve for lack of algae or other plant matter; algae wafers or other low-protein foods are recommended.
Keepers should watch for the abdomen to take on a sunken appearance, indicating insufficient nutrition.

Like other plecos, they benefit from the addition of bogwood, which they will rasp at and use as a hiding place – in the absence of other plant matter (sources of fibre), wood may be essential to the survival of these fish in the aquarium, as it helps digestion of typically high protein fish food.

Sexing is very easy as the female will occasionally have bristles around the edge of the chin and the male will have them up the center of the head.

Breeding is also possible: Males attract females to small cave or hollow, then guard eggs after fertilization through hatching (4–8 days) until fry are free swimming (4–6 days after hatching); the aquarist need only supply a suitable cave, food, and one of each sex.

Caution should be taken with the spines (odontodes) – although the risk of personal injury is small with this genus as the hooked nature of the odontodes means that a bristlenose may become trapped in non-natural material such as sponge filters and netting.
These fish are often kept by aquarists as they are dutiful algae-eaters and smaller in adult size than the common plecos usually seen in pet shops. They reach up to 15 cm in males, and 12 cm in females. Their recommended temperature 23–27 degrees Celsius. Their lifespan is up to 12 years. They are hardy animals, tolerant to a wide range of water conditions. They breed easily in captivity, and are compatible with most other freshwater fish. Though typically mottled brown or black-and-grey spotted in color, other species are more exotic – spots of bright yellow on a dark background being a common pattern. Albino variants are also common. The albino morph is not caused by exposure to light during development, it is a morph controlled by genetics.
Historically commonly available species of Ancistrus were Ancistrus cirrhosus and Ancistrus temminckii, other species are now available, though exact identification is difficult.
Feeding is easy, bristlenoses will graze on algae/ algae wafers and other surface growing organisms as well as eating algae wafers or tablets, flake food, squash, spinach, cucumber, zucchini, green beans peas and even sliced carrots. They have also been known to accept frozen bloodworms as part of their diet. Aquarium specimens may starve for lack of algae or other plant matter; algae wafers or other low-protein foods are recommended. Keepers should watch for the abdomen to take on a sunken appearance, indicating insufficient nutrition.
Like other plecos, they benefit from the addition of bogwood, which they will rasp at and use as a hiding place – in the absence of other plant matter (sources of fibre), wood may be essential to the survival of these fish in the aquarium, as it helps digestion of typically high protein fish food.
Sexing is very easy as the female will occasionally have bristles around the edge of the chin and the male will have them up the center of the head.
Breeding is also possible: Males attract females to small cave or hollow, then guard eggs after fertilization through hatching (4–8 days) until fry are free swimming (4–6 days after hatching); the aquarist need only supply a suitable cave, food, and one of each sex.
Caution should be taken with the spines (odontodes) – although the risk of personal injury is small with this genus as the hooked nature of the odontodes means that a bristlenose may become trapped in non-natural material such as sponge filters and netting.
Ancistrus