Bristlenose Catfish

Common name Bristle-nosed catfish Picture of Ancistrus sp catfish, female
Female
© Sean Evans

Lower photo contributed by Lisa Williams
© Lisa Williams

Scientific name Ancistrus species

Synonyms

Size Up to 5" (12.5cm)

Origin South America

Tank setup Planted tank, with bogwood refuges.

Compatibility Community, may be territorial with other Ancistrus catfish.

Temperature 21-26^oC (70-79^oF)

Water chemistry Fairly soft, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (pH 6.5-7.5), but this is not critical as this fish is very hardy and adaptable

Feeding A good algae eater, this should be supplemented with algae wafers, sinking pellets, green foods like lettuce and cucumber, etc.
They will also consume most other foods missed by midwater dwelling fish.

Sexing Males have the 'bristles' on their heads, which gives this genus its common name

Breeding Will often spawn in the community tank. The male will guard the eggs.

Comments This fish is an ideal algae eater for the small to medium sized community tank. They do not grow too large, they are busy algae eaters and they are generally hardy. They are peaceful, but territorial towards other bristlenose catfish (and occasionally other bottom dwellers), so provide them with plenty of bogwood to rest on if you have several. It is thought that the fish may use the bogwood in their diet, like fibre, by rasping at the wood, so always provide a piece of bogwood in the tank. There are over 50 species of Ancistrus catfish, some of which are difficult to distinguish from each other.

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This website was last updated on 18th January 2008

Common name	Bristle-nosed catfish	Female `© Sean Evans` Lower photo contributed by Lisa Williams `© Lisa Williams`
Scientific name	Ancistrus species
Synonyms
Size	Up to 5" (12.5cm)
Origin	South America
Tank setup	Planted tank, with bogwood refuges.
Compatibility	Community, may be territorial with other Ancistrus catfish.
Temperature	21-26^oC (70-79^oF)
Water chemistry	Fairly soft, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (pH 6.5-7.5), but this is not critical as this fish is very hardy and adaptable
Feeding	A good algae eater, this should be supplemented with algae wafers, sinking pellets, green foods like lettuce and cucumber, etc. They will also consume most other foods missed by midwater dwelling fish.
Sexing	Males have the 'bristles' on their heads, which gives this genus its common name
Breeding	Will often spawn in the community tank. The male will guard the eggs.
Comments	This fish is an ideal algae eater for the small to medium sized community tank. They do not grow too large, they are busy algae eaters and they are generally hardy. They are peaceful, but territorial towards other bristlenose catfish (and occasionally other bottom dwellers), so provide them with plenty of bogwood to rest on if you have several. It is thought that the fish may use the bogwood in their diet, like fibre, by rasping at the wood, so always provide a piece of bogwood in the tank. There are over 50 species of Ancistrus catfish, some of which are difficult to distinguish from each other.