Ancistrus sp.

These catfish are common in the wild. Dozens of species are listed by IUCN as 'least concern'. The ancistrus encountered in fish stores are not of pure lineage and are or should be considered unidentifiable at species level (though they are often sold as 'A. cirrhosus).

If you have information about or footage of this fish in the wild, please reach out to us.

Bristlenose plecos are like guppies and goldfish: bred to prolifically and genetically mixed so thoroughly that no one remembers what a wild one looks like, or where they are from. Now, of course, they are everywhere.

It is a mainstay in our hobby, and for good reasons: it is fun fish to watch and to breed, it does not grow too large, and it eats algae. It really does a pretty good job of keeping glass and ornaments clean (though it does not seem to take on hair algae).

For breeding, they following is required: a pair of sexually mature fish (fish shops tend to sell them at 4 or 5 centimeters, those are juveniles); a tank with some wood or or wood-like ornaments, like a half coconut; shelter for the female.

Apparently, the male picks a spot in a cave or cavity, lures the female in, forces her to lay 50-100 eggs, fertilizes the eggs and chases her out. He may, in my experience, also kill her, even in a big tank. Fry are generally not harmed. Keep in mind though that they are big eaters (and poopers). This means they should be fed quite a lot (they are vulnerable to underfeeding), and as a consequence the tank needs frequent water changes. I feed: slices of cucumber and courgette; sinking pellets; fry powder. In a few months they will be 4-5 centimeter, and at that point, you better have a place to take them to. Luckily, these are always in demand.