Cichlid
Telling males and females apart
Adult male bristlenose plecos (Ancistrus) grow long, branching bristles across the snout. Females have few or short bristles along the edge of the mouth. Most are ready to breed at around a year old.
Setup
- Provide a breeding cave sized so the male fits snugly. One cave per male reduces fights.
- Add driftwood and feed algae wafers and blanched vegetables.
- Many keepers trigger spawning with a large, slightly cooler water change.
Eggs and fry
The female lays a clump of orange eggs inside the cave and the male guards and fans them. They usually hatch in about 4 to 10 days. The fry live off the yolk sac for a few days, then leave the cave and graze on wood, wafers and vegetables. Keep water clean, as fry grow best with frequent water changes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know my bristlenose pleco is breeding?
The male stays inside a cave for days and fans it, often refusing to leave even at feeding time. You may see orange eggs or a female visiting.
What do bristlenose fry eat?
Crushed algae wafers, blanched zucchini and cucumber, and biofilm on driftwood.
How long until the fry come out of the cave?
Usually about a week or so after hatching, once the yolk sac is absorbed.
What you will need
- Pleco breeding cavesWhere the male guards eggs.Check price on Amazon
- Algae wafersFood for adults and fry.Check price on Amazon
- DriftwoodGrazing surface for fry.Check price on Amazon
Links go to Amazon search results so you can compare current prices. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
