Bristlenose Pleco

Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus

A manageable pleco (up to 13 cm) that eats algae and fits most community tanks. Males grow bristly tentacles.

Care Parameters

Adult size

13 cm

Min tank

80 L

Temperature

23–27°C

6.5–7.5

4–15 dGH

Diet

Herbivore

Temperament

Peaceful

Water zone

Bottom

Difficulty

Beginner

Schooling

One or a pair per tank.

Suitable Plants

Bacopa caroliniana

A hardy, straightforward stem plant with thick, oval leaves on upright stems. One of the easiest background plants, tolerating a wide range of conditions and requiring minimal maintenance.

Myriophyllum

A graceful stem plant with feathery, comb-like leaves that create a soft, flowing background effect. Also known as Parrot's Feather, it adds delicate texture to aquascapes.

Java Moss

The most popular and hardy aquarium moss. Grows on almost any surface in almost any conditions. Versatile for attaching to driftwood, rocks, or creating moss walls.

Rotala rotundifolia

Care profile for Rotala rotundifolia: medium-high light, medium CO₂, intermediate difficulty.

Ludwigia Super Red

A vivid red stem plant that maintains its intense red coloration even under moderate lighting. Hardy and fast-growing, making it accessible for intermediate aquascapers.

Compatible Invertebrates

Blue Tiger Shrimp

A selectively bred freshwater shrimp with striking deep blue coloration. Requires soft, acidic water and careful parameter maintenance. Prized by shrimp collectors.

Blue Crayfish

A selectively bred color morph of the red swamp crayfish with brilliant blue coloration. Hardy and active, but will eat plants and harass tank mates.

Assassin Snail

The striped predator of the aquarium world, kept to hunt down pest snails and worms. It burrows by day and hunts by night, and will happily share a tank with fish and plants - it ignores shrimp and fish entirely. Also known as Clea helena; both names are accepted.

Thai Micro Crab

A pea-sized, fully aquatic crab - no land zone needed - that perches on driftwood and picks microparticles from the water. Fragile and easily overlooked; keep a group of 3 or more in a mature nano tank, and never expose it to copper or sharp parameter swings.