{"product_id":"peppermint-bristlenose-ancistrus-sp-l181","title":"Peppermint Bristlenose | Ancistrus sp. L181","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Peppermint Bristlenose is a dark, white-spotted beauty — a touch more sought-after than the common bristlenose, just as peaceful, and a tidy algae-grazer for the planted tank. Reaching around 10–13 cm, mature males sport the characteristic branching 'bristles' on the snout, and the whole fish suits community life beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBristlenose catfish of the genus \u003cem\u003eAncistrus\u003c\/em\u003e come from the rivers and streams of tropical South America, where they cling to submerged wood and rock in flowing, oxygen-rich water. There they rasp at algae, biofilm and softened timber — habits worth remembering when setting up their tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA flattened, armoured sucker-mouth catfish with a dark, near-black body finely peppered with small white-to-cream spots. Mature males grow a bush of fleshy tentacles across the snout; females and juveniles have far fewer, shorter bristles. A handsome, understated L-number.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and retiring, the Peppermint Bristlenose keeps to the lower levels and rarely bothers tankmates, making it an ideal community catfish. Males can be mildly territorial toward other bristlenose over a favoured cave or piece of wood, so provide a retreat each if keeping several.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrimarily a herbivore and algae-grazer that also needs wood to rasp on for healthy digestion. Offer sinking algae wafers and vegetable-based pellets, along with blanched zucchini, cucumber and spinach. Include a piece of driftwood, and offer the occasional protein food in moderation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive it a mature tank of at least 100 litres with driftwood, caves and good filtration in clean, well-oxygenated water. It is hardy and beginner-friendly, tolerating a wide range of conditions, but driftwood is essential and it appreciates some water movement. An efficient algae-eater that helps keep the tank tidy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cave-spawner that breeds readily in the home aquarium. The male entices a female into a snug cave or pleco tube, then guards and fans the clutch of orange eggs until the fry hatch and absorb their yolk sacs. Providing suitable caves and good conditioning is usually all it takes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAncistrus sp. L181\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeppermint Bristlenose\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10–13 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–12 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore (algae \u0026amp; wood, with some vegetables)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–19 dGH (soft to hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginners; planted community and biotope tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — grazes algae, does not eat healthy plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlmost any peaceful community fish — tetras, rasboras, barbs, rainbowfish, gouramis, dwarf cichlids and corydoras. Ideal as a hardworking algae-grazer in a planted community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery aggressive or large predatory fish, and other bristlenose or plecos kept without enough caves and wood, which can trigger territorial squabbles.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232802652451,"sku":null,"price":33.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232802685219,"sku":"AA2447","price":38.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232802717987,"sku":null,"price":43.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Peppermint_Bristlenose_63bb21b0-3667-4829-a0b9-87e47015bbfe.jpg?v=1781699150","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/peppermint-bristlenose-ancistrus-sp-l181","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}