{"product_id":"albino-common-bristlenose-female-ancistrus-sp-common","title":"Albino Common Bristlenose Female | Ancistrus sp. 'Common'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Albino Common Bristlenose Female is one of the hardest-working and most rewarding fish you can keep, a tireless algae-grazer that stays a manageable size and is bombproof to boot. This albino strain is soft cream with pink eyes; the female wears only a modest fringe of bristles compared with the whiskery male. Reaching around 12–13 cm, she is a peaceful, brilliant clean-up crew for almost any community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAncistrus catfish come from the rivers and streams of South America, clinging to submerged wood and rock in well-oxygenated, flowing water and rasping algae and biofilm. Driftwood is a genuine dietary need, aiding digestion. Bogwood, rock, gentle current and good oxygenation recreate the natural home of this aquarium-bred strain.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA flattened, armoured catfish with a broad sucker mouth; this albino female is creamy-white to pale gold with pink eyes and only short bristles around the snout, where the male grows a prominent 'beard'. Well fed and settled, she is a robust, characterful fish that spends the day grazing surfaces and wood.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful toward other species, though males can be territorial with each other over caves. A female mixes calmly with virtually any community and simply gets on with grazing. Provide a cave or two and she will happily coexist with tank mates from tetras to larger cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eChiefly a herbivore. Offer sinking algae wafers and quality vegetable-based foods, plus fresh vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber and blanched spinach, and always provide driftwood to rasp. A little protein from sinking pellets or the occasional frozen food rounds out the diet. Feed after lights-out to suit her nocturnal habit.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 75 L, with 100 L or larger recommended. Keep temperature at 23–27 °C, pH 6.5–7.5 and GH soft to medium, around 5–20. Provide driftwood, caves and good oxygenation, and keep water clean, as she is a hearty eater and waste producer. Hardy and forgiving, she is an ideal beginner catfish, peaceful and generally plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBristlenose breed readily. The male claims a cave, entices a female to lay, then guards and fans the eggs alone until the fry hatch and cling to surfaces feeding on biofilm. Simply provide caves, good food and clean water and a compatible pair will usually spawn without any special intervention.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAncistrus sp. 'Common'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlbino Common Bristlenose (female)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (aquarium-bred strain)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12–13 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–12 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore: algae wafers, vegetables and driftwood, with some protein\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to medium, around 5–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner and community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally yes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include tetras, rasboras, barbs, corydoras, gouramis, rainbowfish, livebearers and most peaceful to moderately robust community cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping multiple bristlenose males in a small tank, and avoid very aggressive fish that harass bottom-dwellers. Always provide driftwood, without which its diet and digestion suffer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232803864867,"sku":"BA9154-S","price":25.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232803897635,"sku":"BA9154","price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232803930403,"sku":"BA9154-L","price":35.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/albino-common-bristlenose-fe-43886000406819-fx.webp?v=1790319639","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/albino-common-bristlenose-female-ancistrus-sp-common","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}