{"product_id":"common-bristlenose-males-and-females-ancistrus-sp-common","title":"Common Bristlenose Males And Females | Ancistrus sp. 'Common'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Common Bristlenose is the hardest-working fish in the aquarium, a tireless algae-grazer that stays a manageable 12–15 cm, breeds readily and gets on with almost everyone. This listing offers a mix of males and females, so you can set up a breeding group or simply add a hardy, characterful clean-up crew. Peaceful, bombproof and endlessly useful, bristlenose suit almost any community tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAncistrus species come from the rivers and streams of tropical South America, especially the Amazon basin, where they cling to submerged wood and rocks in flowing, well-oxygenated water. They rasp algae and biofilm from hard surfaces and shelter in crevices by day. Driftwood, rockwork, caves and clean, oxygen-rich water recreate this home and keep them content.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA flattened, armoured catfish with a broad sucker-mouth, mottled brown to near-black colouring (albino and other forms also exist) and a low-slung, bony-plated body. Mature males wear a bushy array of fleshy snout tentacles, while females have a plain or only lightly bristled snout, making the sexes easy to tell apart. Good diet and clean water keep the colour rich and the fins broad.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful and retiring. Bristlenose mind their own business, grazing surfaces and hiding among wood, and mix well with almost all community fish from tetras and rainbowfish to peaceful cichlids. Males can squabble over prime caves, so provide several retreats when keeping a mixed group. With enough wood and hiding spots, a group settles happily.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA herbivore that grazes algae and rasps biofilm and wood, but it should not rely on tank algae alone. Offer sinking algae wafers and quality vegetable-based pellets, plus blanched vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber and pumpkin. A piece of driftwood is important for rasping and digestion. Add occasional protein sparingly, as the diet should be mostly plant-based.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 75 L, with 100 L or larger better for a group. Keep temperature at 23–27 °C, pH 6.5–7.5 and GH soft to neutral, around 2–15. Include plenty of driftwood and multiple caves, maintain clean, well-oxygenated water with regular changes, and ensure good flow. They are peaceful and generally plant safe, though they may rasp very soft-leaved plants; sturdy plants are untouched.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreeding is easy and rewarding, which makes a mixed group ideal. A male claims a cave, entices a female to lay inside, then guards and fans the eggs himself until the fry emerge and cling to surfaces. The fry take crushed vegetable foods and biofilm readily. Give each male a cave and condition the group well, and spawnings follow with little 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\u003eCommon Bristlenose Catfish (mixed males and females)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical South America (Amazon basin); aquarium-bred lineage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 12–15 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 over caves)\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 for a group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore: algae wafers, vegetable pellets, blanched 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 neutral, around 2–15 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; breeding; 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 (may rasp very soft-leaved plants)\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, rainbowfish, gouramis, peaceful cichlids such as angelfish and dwarf cichlids, corydoras and most peaceful community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large aggressive cichlids or other big fish that may harass a bottom-dweller, and avoid housing several males together without a cave each. Otherwise this is one of the most broadly compatible fish in the hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232801308963,"sku":null,"price":13.45,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232801341731,"sku":"AA1492","price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232801374499,"sku":null,"price":23.45,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/common-bristlenose-males-and-females-ancistrus-sp-common","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}