Description of Bristlenose

Ancistrus species show all the typical features of the Loricariidae. The feature of this fish most commonly associated with the genus are the fleshy tentacles found on the head in adult males; females may possess tentacles along the snout margin but they are smaller and they lack tentacles on the head. Males also have evertable cheek odontodes which are less developed or absent in females.

While the female inspects the nest, the male keeps close contact. The female plays no role in parental care; the male takes care of its young. Males will clean the eggs and the cavity with its fins and mouth. Males inspect eggs to remove diseased or infertile eggs, and aerates the clutch by fanning them with its pectoral and pelvic fins. The eggs hatch in 4-10 days over a period of 2-6 hours; the male guards the eggs for 7-10 days after hatching. If an intruding male manages to evict another male from the nest, it may cannibalize the other male’s young.

A male bristlenose may guard several clutches of eggs simultaneously. Females prefer males that are already protecting eggs and may prefer males that are protecting larvae; it has been suggested that the tentacles may act as a fry mimic to attract females, which would allow males without eggs in their nest to compete with males guarding eggs. Size is up to 15 cm (male), 12 cm (female), recommended temperature 23-27 degrees Celsius, lifespan up to 12 years.

albino ancistrus slayer

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Subfamily: Hypostominae
Tribe: Ancistrini
Genus: Ancistrus