{"product_id":"albino-common-bristlenose-male-ancistrus-sp-common","title":"Albino Common Bristlenose Male | Ancistrus sp. 'Common'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Albino Common Bristlenose is the hardest-working little catfish in the hobby — a tireless algae-grazer in soft peach-cream with pink eyes. This is the mature male, recognised by the bushy cluster of fleshy tentacles across his snout. Peaceful, bombproof and endlessly useful, he stays a manageable size of around 12–13 cm and makes a brilliant clean-up crew member for almost any community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe wild-type Ancistrus comes from the fast-flowing, well-oxygenated rivers and streams of the Amazon basin in South America, where it clings to submerged wood and rock and rasps at the biofilm and algae growing there. The albino is a long-established captive-bred strain. Driftwood, some water movement and good oxygenation recreate its home and keep it content.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA stocky, flattened catfish clad in bony armour, in soft cream to pale peach with characteristic pink-red eyes. Mature males grow the showy branched bristles across the snout that give the fish its name; females and youngsters have far shorter bristles confined to the snout edge. The sucker mouth is built for grazing.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperament is wholly peaceful towards other species, making it one of the safest catfish for a community. Males can be territorial with one another over caves, so give each a hollow of its own. It mixes happily with tetras, barbs, rainbowfish, livebearers, gouramis and peaceful cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA herbivore at heart. The bulk of the diet should be algae wafers, spirulina and blanched vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber and pumpkin, plus a constant supply of driftwood to rasp, which aids digestion. Occasional sinking foods and the odd bit of frozen fare round things out. Feed after lights-out when it is most active.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 75 L, with 100 L or larger better for a mature male with tank mates. Keep the temperature at 23–27 °C, pH 6.5–7.5 and hardness soft to moderately hard. Bristlenose need clean, well-oxygenated water, driftwood and caves for shelter. They are hardy and forgiving, which makes them ideal for beginners, and they are generally plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOne of the easiest catfish to breed. A well-fed pair given a snug cave will often spawn readily; the male guards the orange egg cluster and fans the fry, which cling to the glass and wood before foraging on their own. No special intervention is needed beyond good food and clean water.\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' (albino strain)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlbino Common Bristlenose (male)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmazon basin, South America (captive-bred)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 12–13 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–12 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (males territorial with each other)\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, spirulina, vegetables, driftwood\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 moderately hard, around 6–15 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\u003eCommunity and planted aquariums; algae control\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\u003eYes\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, danios, rainbowfish, livebearers, gouramis, peaceful cichlids such as angelfish and keyhole, and other catfish like corydoras.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with very aggressive or large predatory cichlids, fin-nippers that harass slow grazers, and other male bristlenose without their own caves in a small tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232801734947,"sku":"AA2674-S","price":25.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232801767715,"sku":"AA2674","price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232801800483,"sku":"AA2674-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-ma-43885735837987.webp?v=1790306097","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/albino-common-bristlenose-male-ancistrus-sp-common","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}