Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus
Also sold as BN pleco · Ancistrus · Bushynose · BNP · BN · Ancistrus sp. 3
Synonyms Bristle nose · Bristlenose catfish · Longfin bristlenose · Calico bristlenose
Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus) is a peaceful freshwater fish that reaches about 12 cm (4.7 in) and swims along the bottom. It wants 72–81°F (22–27°C) and pH 6–7.5, can be kept singly, and needs a tank of at least 75 L (20 gal).
At a glance
| Type | Fish |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 12 cm (4.7 in) |
| Minimum tank | 75 L (20 gal) |
| Group size | Can be kept singly |
| Temperature | 72–81°F (22–27°C) |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| GH | 2–14.5 |
| Eats shrimp | No |
Color forms
Same species, different color. Care is the same for all of them.
AlbinoAlbino Bristlenose · Albino BN · Albino Bushynose · Albino Bristlenose Pleco
Lemon Blue EyeBlue Eye Lemon Bristlenose · Blue Eyed Lemon Bristlenose · L144a · L144
Super RedSuper Red Bristlenose · Super Red BN · Red BN
Before it goes in
- Bristlenose Pleco needs at least 75 L (20 gal). The smallest size in this library that clears that is the 20 Gallon High.
- It leaves shrimp and small fish alone.
- It holds at 72–81°F (22–27°C). That shares a window with Betta and Cherry Shrimp, but not with Discus.
- It grazes algae hard, which is most of the reason people buy it.
- One of them takes up roughly 31% of what a 20 Gallon High will comfortably hold, so plan the rest of the stock around it.
What tank size does it need?
At least 75 L (20 gal). The smallest size here that clears it is the 20 Gallon High.
Will it eat shrimp?
No — adult shrimp and their young are both safe with it.
What water does it want?
72–81°F (22–27°C), pH 6–7.5, GH 2–14.5.
Good tank mates
- Tank mates from this library that share its temperature window, are peaceful and eat neither it nor its young: Cherry Shrimp, Goldfish, Celestial Pearl Danio, Molly and Otocinclus.
- Plants that hold up with it: Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', Water Sprite, Anubias nana 'Petite' and Cryptocoryne wendtii.
Often compared with
| Bristlenose Pleco | Clown Pleco | Common Pleco | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult size | 12 cm | 9 cm | 57.8 cm |
| Min tank | 75 L | 75 L | 400 L |
| Group | 1+ | 1+ | 1+ |
| Temperature | 72–81°F (22–27°C) | 73–82°F (23–28°C) | 72–82°F (22–28°C) |
| Eats shrimp | No | No | — |
More livestock
Sources (8) · checked Sep 2026
- GHaquapets.ca
- Mature tankaquariumcoop.com
- Minimum tankaquaticarts.com
- GHdansfish.au
- Minimum tanken.aqua-fish.net
- What it eatsgarnelio.de
- What it eatsgarnelio.de
- Mature tankseriouslyfish.com