{"product_id":"super-red-calico-bristlenose-ancistrus-sp-super-red-calico","title":"Super Red Calico Bristlenose | Ancistrus sp. 'Super Red Calico'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis calico Super Red Bristlenose is dappled in red, cream and grey, giving each fish its own unique coat. Hardy, peaceful and endlessly useful, it's a colourful take on the classic algae-grazing bristlenose catfish, staying a manageable 10–15 cm and thriving in almost any peaceful community tank.\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 South America, where they cling to submerged wood and rocks in well-oxygenated, flowing water, rasping algae and biofilm. Calico and Super Red forms like this one are aquarium-developed selections.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA flattened, armoured catfish with a broad, sucker mouth; mature males grow the branching \"bristles\" on the snout, while females have few or none. This calico form shows a mottled mix of red, cream and grey that varies from fish to fish. Adults reach roughly 10–15 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and unobtrusive, grazing surfaces and sheltering in caves. Males can be territorial towards other bottom-dwellers over a favoured cave, so provide a retreat for each. Excellent in almost any peaceful community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA herbivore that grazes algae and biofilm but needs supplementary feeding. Offer algae wafers and vegetable-based sinking foods as a staple, plus fresh vegetables such as courgette, cucumber and blanched spinach. Provide driftwood, as rasping on wood aids its digestion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEasy and hardy, ideal for beginners. Provide driftwood, caves and some water movement, and keep the water clean and well-oxygenated. It suits soft to neutral, moderately warm water and tolerates a wide range of conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cave-spawning catfish that breeds readily at home. The male entices a female into a snug cave, then guards and fans the clutch until the fry hatch and absorb their yolk sacs. The fry graze biofilm and take crushed algae wafers early on.\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. 'Super Red Calico'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuper Red Calico Bristlenose Catfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (aquarium-bred colour form)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–12 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful; males territorial over caves\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\u003e75 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore (algae, vegetables, wood-grazer)\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\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–15 dGH (soft to moderately 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 clean-up duty\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, danios, rainbowfish, livebearers, gouramis, peaceful cichlids and Corydoras. Give each male bristlenose its own cave.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLarge aggressive cichlids and fin-nippers, and other territorial plecos kept without enough caves. Avoid keeping several males in a small tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232803373347,"sku":"BA8781","price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232803406115,"sku":"BA8781-M","price":20.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232803438883,"sku":"BA8781-L","price":25.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/super-red-calico-bristlenose-ancistrus-sp-super-red-calico","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}