FREE FISH CARE GUIDE
Just another reason why Aqua Life is your specialist aquarium store…
Aqua Life Warrnambool Aquarium
Shop 16, Centrepoint Arcade
125 Liebig Street
Warrnambool, VIC, 3280
BRISTLENOSE CATFISH
There is no mistaking a Bristlenose Catfish! That flat, brown body, rounded head and
‘tentacles’ sticking out randomly all over their face between their eyes and mouth. Yet despite,
or because of, their very bizarre appearance, Bristlenose Catfish (Ancistrus temminckii)
remain an incredibly popular tropical aquarium inhabitant.
Many people do not realise that these catfish are actually a Plecostimus, or ‘Pleco
Catfish’ of the family Loricariidae. Plecos, in general, get very large. But the Bristlenose stays
quite small, usually between ten and fifteen centimetres long. This manageable size, along
with their peaceful disposition, makes them well suited to the typical community aquarium.
Their appetite for algae is another aspect that makes them popular.
They will eat many aquarium plants, though. Tough plants are safe with Bristlenose
Catfish in the tank, but very soft-stemmed plants such as Cabomba will usually be consumed.
They will generally feed of algae in the tank, but if they eat it all (or if you clean algae away
regularly) they can starve. Be sure to add sinking algae tablets / chips every so often. We
recommend feeding Spectrum Stable Wafers, especially if you want to encourage quick
growth: these fish are usually offered for sale at a tiny 3cm length.
They are quite easy to breed, if you would like to. It is not possible to determine the
gender of young Bristlenose Catfish, but once they reach about three inches long the males
will develop the ‘bristles’ on their face. If there are no bristles, it is either an undeveloped male
or a female.
These are very hardy fish, they tolerate a wide range of water conditions, and never
cause trouble in the aquarium. As such, they are a must for almost any tropical aquarium setup.
QUICK REFERENCE…
ORIGIN:
Suriname, of northern South America.
ADULT SIZE:
15cm / 6 inches. Sometimes a little smaller.
GENDER:
Mature males develop ‘bristles’ on the face.
PH:
Not fussed. Will accept almost any pH level, but keeping it
between 6.7 – 7.0 is ideal.
WATER HARDNESS:
Soft water is ideal.
TEMPERATURE:
24 - 28º Celsius.
DIET:
Algae. Most green vegetables. Sinking algae tablets. We
recommend feeding Spectrum for the best results in health
and growth.
KEEP WITH:
Any tropical fish. They are fine by themselves or with other
Bristlenose Catfish. At the tiny size often seen in aquarium
stores, it may be vulnerable to being eaten. Larger Pleco
Catfish may will probably harass and injure Bristlenose
Catfish.
SPECIAL NEEDS:
Plenty of food for almost constant grazing. They must have a
piece of driftwood / bogwood in the aquarium, which they
rasp on for fibre. They may not grow or live long without it.
Wood can be provided by aquarium stores with plants
grafted to it for a natural effect.
All Information & Care Sheets were written by Aqua Life.
Information & advice intended as a guide only.
Ph: 5562 8790
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