A few of the vegetables that my plecos will never turn their nose up at are:
- Zucchini
- Cucumber
- Broccoli
- Peas
- Romaine Lettuce
What do bushy nose plecos eat?
Bushy Nose Plecos will especially enjoy meaty foods like bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp; as well as, blanched vegetables like spinach and other greens.
How often should I Feed my plecos?
How often should I feed plecos vegetables? When feeding other commercial foods like pellets or algae wafers, it’s recommended to feed vegetables between 1 and 3 times a week. You can feed vegetables every day, but only if a variation of other foods is offered too.
What are the best conditions for my pleco?
Stick to these and your Pleco will thrive: Parameter Optimum Range Temperature Tropical (60F – 80F or 15c – 25c) pH Neutral (6.5 – 7.5) Hardiness 20-25 Oxygen Levels High 1 more rows ...
Where does the bushy nose pleco come from?
Bushy Nose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.) originate from the smaller river tributaries and backwaters of the Amazon and northern portions of South America. Their mottled color pattern helps them blend in with the leaf littered substrate of the jungle waters which they inhabit.
Do I need to feed my Bristlenose pleco?
How Often Should I Feed my Bristlenose Pleco? Algae wafers can be fed to your fish every other day. In between replacing your wafers, it is wise to provide your Bristlenose with a constantly supply of a nutritious fresh vegetable, like zucchini.
What food do Bristlenose catfish eat?
Bristlenose are vegetarian to omnivorous and require vegetable matter in their diet. Sinking tablets, wafers or pellets containing Spirulina or similar are ideal. Bristlenose catfish also readily feed on vegetables such as squashed peas, cucumber, zucchini, pump- kin and lettuce.
What vegetables can I feed my Bristlenose pleco?
Veggies. Bristlenose plecos can also benefit from supplemental feedings of vegetables. Grocery store veggies like spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, peas, carrots and green beans are suitable pleco foods. Some of them, like zucchini and carrots, work better when blanched first.
What should I feed my pleco?
A well-balanced pleco diet consists of: Algae and sinking algae wafers. Plecos require plenty of fiber. Supplement with raw zucchini, sweet potato, carrots, lettuce, spinach or cucumbers as a treat once or twice a week.
How often do you feed a Bristlenose pleco?
Feed the fish twice per day, providing enough food for them to eat within two minutes. Remove uneaten food to keep the tank clean and to prevent overfeeding.
What fruit and veg can plecos eat?
Your pleco will enjoy a variety of vegetables, like broccoli, shelled peas, lima beans, kale, celery, cabbage, and zucchini. Though your pleco may enjoy small pieces of cantaloupe, honeydew melon, breadfruit, and papaya, you should avoid providing acidic fruits or veggies, like oranges and tomatoes.
How often should I feed my pleco algae wafers?
While Plecos do eat detritus and algae, it will still need its diet supplemented. Feed your Pleco every day or every other day with Pleco-specific food. One to two times per week, feed your Pleco pieces of cucumber, zucchini, or lettuce (not iceberg).
Do Bristlenose plecos eat fruit?
I have three bristlenose plecos in my 90g. I try to feed them veggies and fruits a couple times a week. So far they have liked zucchini, blanched spinach and cucumber.
Can you feed a pleco a banana?
3:0310:51Pleco Vs. Banana - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut my plecos do not like bananas guys yeah they just get on it. And then they get off of it. BeenMoreBut my plecos do not like bananas guys yeah they just get on it. And then they get off of it. Been in here an hour they've ate through the you know the outer edge of it too.
Can I feed cucumber to my pleco?
0:295:42#414: How to Sink Raw Cucumbers for Plecos - Tank Tip - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd they've come up with this really ingenious little tool to help you feed raw vegetables to yourMoreAnd they've come up with this really ingenious little tool to help you feed raw vegetables to your plecos.
What vegetables do plecos eat?
Plecos can eat vegetables. Romaine lettuce, the tops of celery and other leafy vegetables provide a good plant food source. Slices of cucumber, parboiled zucchini and parboiled peas are welcome in the pleco's diet.
What do you feed a Hypancistrus?
2:228:18My Top 5 Zebra Pleco Foods - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey have a 47 percent protein content and the first ingredients are krill meal and fish meal they'MoreThey have a 47 percent protein content and the first ingredients are krill meal and fish meal they're a smaller pellet. As you can see and they have no problem sinking.
Do Bristlenose catfish eat meat?
In their natural habitat, the Bristlenose Plecos are herbivorous. They mostly depend on plant matter to fulfill their dietary needs. There's not a single type of Bristlenose Plecos that could eat meat or other fishes. But, the fish can make a little compromise in this sector.
How long do Bristlenose catfish live?
5+ yearsQuick FactsScientific name:Ancistrus CirrhosusCommon name:Bristlenose CatfishRegion of Origin:South America, Amazon RiverAverage Life Span:5+ yearsSize:up to 15cm7 more rows•Jun 14, 2018
Do Bristlenose plecos eat driftwood?
Bristlenose plecos aren't picky about what type of wood you provide for them. However, they usually prefer softer woods, such as Malaysian driftwood, grape wood, and cholla wood.
What vegetables do plecos eat?
Plecos can eat vegetables. Romaine lettuce, the tops of celery and other leafy vegetables provide a good plant food source. Slices of cucumber, parboiled zucchini and parboiled peas are welcome in the pleco's diet.
What do plecos eat?
At least 75% of their diet should be a plant-based food such as algae wafers. Vegetables such as zucchini, cabbage, and cucumber can be fed occasionally as a treat. Don’t forget – Bristlenose plecos are bottom-feeding fish.
How to induce spawning in Plecos?
To induce spawning, we recommend a water change of at least 50%. This will trick the Plecos into thinking it’s the rainy season, which is when they prefer to start breeding. The only other tip when trying to induce spawning is to make sure you are feeding the fish plenty of high quality food.
How long does it take for a bristlenose pleco to hatch?
The females will enter the ‘cave’ with the male, and will deposit the eggs to the upper surface of it. The eggs will hatch around 10 days later.
How big of a tank do you need for a bristlenose pleco?
They can reach up to 6 inches in length relatively quickly, so it’s recommended that you keep them in a tank size of at least 30 Gallons. Remember that this is just a minimum recommendation.
What is a bristlenose pleco?
Bristlenose Plecos are hardy fish meaning they can tolerate a broader range of water parameters. With that being said, our goal is to replicate the natural environment of the fish we are keeping and keep it as consistent as possible.
What is the most popular species of Pleco fish?
Written by Logan Price in Freshwater Fish Last Updated 23rd June 2021. The Bristlenose Pleco. One of the most popular species of Pleco fish you will find in home aquariums all over the globe. Also known as the Bushy nose Pleco, these easy to care for tropical freshwater fish are perfect for beginner aquarists, and advanced aquarists alike.
Can you feed a bristlenose pleco fresh vegetables?
If you are feeding them enough vegetables, you should not have a problem with this, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, in case you ever forget to stay consistent, or you are unavailable to feed them fresh vegetables. If that is the case, then the Bristlenose Pleco will need to obtain fiber from somewhere else.
What makes a longfin pleco so neat?
Unlike the other common variations, the Longfin has very long and flowing fins that give it a hypnotic swaying motion as it swims around. This is one of the most enjoyable kinds of Bristlenose Plecos to observe in action, and for that reason it’s a very popular buy.
What color are plecos?
You’ll find fish that are black, dark brown, gray, and olive. Accompanying that base color is a series of lighter dots all over. They are usually white or yellow. The belly of Bristlenose Plecos is slightly lighter colored.
How big of a tank do you need for a bristlenose pleco?
If you plan on purchasing your own Bristlenose Plecos, you need to make sure that they have at least a 25 gallon tank to roam around. Make sure that you adjust your tank size accordingly if you decide to keep them with other fish (more on that below).
What is the difference between a pleco and a bristlenose?
When compared to other Plecos, the fish have somewhat elongated lips as well. Another difference between the Bristlenose and other Plecos is that the head is wider. It’s also shorter and a bit plumper. Another neat thing about this species is that their bodies are covered in bony plates.
How long do bristlenose pleco live?
Bristlenose Pleco Lifespan. The average Bristlenose Pleco lifespan is at least five years, but there have been instances where this fish has lived up to 12 years in captivity! When compared to a lot of the other popular freshwater tank inhabitants, this is a pretty solid length of time.
What is a bristlenose pleco?
With their unique appearance and penchant for keeping algae at bay, Bristlenose Plecos (Ancistrus Cirrhosus in the Loricariidae family) are a great addition to any aquarium. They’re particularly popular among novice fish owners.
What temperature should I use for a bristlenose pleco?
Once you have the tank all set up, it’s time to make sure the tank has the right water conditions! Bristlenose Plecos do well in a variety of conditions. However, here’s what you should aim for in order to maximize their health and lifespan: 1 Water Temperature: Between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 2 pH: Somewhere in the 6.5 – 7.5 range 3 Water Hardness: 6 to 10 KH
How to tell if a bushy nose is male or female?
It is fairly easy to tell the difference between males and females when a male’s bristles are large and full. However, at different times of the year when the males have small and fewer bristles, it is hard to tell if they are male or female because some females may possess a few tiny, fleshy growths as well. If a mature Bushy Nose has no growths it would be pretty safe to say it is female. As previously mentioned, there is no conclusive information on the reason why a male’s bristles will fluctuate in thickness and size.
What to feed a pleco?
This species will clean scraps of food from the bottom of the fish tank whether it is green or meaty which is why they are classified as omnivorous. When keeping a pleco in your aquarium, be sure to include a decorative log for both a place to hide as well as a source of food. Wood makes up a very important part of their diet because it aids in digestion. Plecos shave little bits of wood to ingest only when they need it so you will not need worry about a whole log disappearing overnight. Provide a variety of different vegetables including peas, lettuce and zucchini. Algae wafers and spirulina tablets will also provide a good source of nutrition for a Bushy Nose Pleco. Too much protein can be harmful to the digestive health of a pleco.
Why are plecos called plecos?
As mentioned, this pleco gets its common name because of the fleshy bristles that extend out from the males’ noses. These algae suckers have flat undersides and disc shaped mouths that are perfect for suction feeding while their teeth are used for scraping.
Where do bushy nose catfish live?
The Bushy Nose Catfish comes from South America. They are endemic to the Amazon River Basin of Guiana, Suriname and Peru. Because they are highly adaptable to different water conditions they have been found to live in a large spread area of waters.
Physical Description
Behavior
- Ancistrus plecos are very peaceful fish. They can exist with species of both an aggressive and non-aggressive nature. The exception is that mature plecos do not tolerate other mature plecos in their territory. They tend not to get along with anything that looks like them no matter what variety of pleco it is. A male and a female will get along peacefully as long as they are in the courting an…
Diet
- Bushy Nose Plecos are considered to be omnivorous due to the fact that they are far from picky eaters. Even still, they tend to lean more toward herbivorous tendencies, eating things such as algae, wood, and other veggies. This species will clean scraps of food from the bottom of the fish tank whether it is green or meaty which is why they are clas...
Water Conditions
- Another trait that makes Bushy Nose Plecos so great for community aquariums is they are not all that particular about the water conditions. They can survive in a wide range of conditions to suit the needs of their tank mates. The water temperature can be as low as 69°F and as high as 82°F. The optimal water hardness range lies somewhere between 4.0 and 18.0 dGH, while the proper …
Origin
- The Bushy Nose Catfish comes from South America. They are endemic to the Amazon River Basin of Guiana, Suriname and Peru. Because they are highly adaptable to different water conditions they have been found to live in a large spread area of waters.
Habitat
- Bushy Nose Plecos are bottom feeders that live among caves in rocky or muddy river banks. They can live among planted areas without disturbing the vegetation if there are sufficient amounts of algae present. Rocks and driftwood are often found in their natural environment. They cling to both if strong currents are present.
Sexing
- It is fairly easy to tell the difference between males and females when a male’s bristles are large and full. However, at different times of the year when the males have small and fewer bristles, it is hard to tell if they are male or female because some females may possess a few tiny, fleshy growths as well. If a mature Bushy Nose has no growths it would be pretty safe to say it is femal…
Breeding
- This family of plecos is popular among aquarists who are looking to breed plecos. They are one of the few plecos that have been successfully bred in captivity. In order for breeding to take place the water conditions have to be within optimal parameters. Breeding is often initiated just after a water change which is associated with the natural rainy season. Anywhere from 40 to 150 eggs …
Sources
- Tropical Fish HobbyistMagazine
- Aquarium Fishes of the Worldby Dr. Herbert R. Axelrod, Dr. Warren E. Burgess, Neal Pronek, Glen S. Axelrod, David E. Boruchowitz
- Focus on Freshwater Aquarium Fishby Geoff Rogers and Nick Fletcher