Long Fin Super Red Bristlenose Pleco Ancistrus

Overview

The Long Fin Super Red Bristlenose Pleco is a vivid orange-red bristlenose with dramatic veil fins that trail behind it as it grazes. It is a selectively bred form of the common South American Ancistrus, keeping all of that species' hardiness and algae-clearing appetite. It suits any peaceful community tank wanting a splash of colour on the bottom.

• Adult Size: Around 10–12 cm (4–5 in); females slightly smaller
• Lifespan: 5–8 years, sometimes longer

Origin

• Native to: Tank-bred; wild ancestors from South American rivers
• Habitat: Flowing, oxygen-rich water with wood and rocks

Feeding

• Diet: Omnivorous, mainly vegetable matter
• Preferred Foods: Algae wafers, courgette, cucumber, peas, sinking pellets, brine shrimp
• Feeding Habits: Feed after lights out; keep bogwood available for grazing

Tank Mates

• Best with: Tetras, rasboras, gouramis, corydoras, livebearers
• Avoid: Large cichlids, fin-nippers, other territorial bottom-dwellers

Aggression & Behaviour

• Temperament: Peaceful and rather shy
• Territoriality: Males squabble over caves; keep singly or as a pair

Experience Level

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Challenges: Long fins invite nipping; needs a mature, well-oxygenated tank

Water Parameters

• Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard
• Temperature: 21–26°C (70–79°F)
• pH: 5.5–7.5
• Hardness: 1–15 dGH
• Flow: Moderate
• Tank Size: Minimum 60 litres for one or a pair; larger for groups

Final Notes

The red colour deepens with age and a vegetable-rich diet, so patience pays off. Sexing is easy once mature: males grow prominent head bristles, females have few or none. Like all bristlenoses it is a cave spawner, with the male guarding eggs and fry, and pairs often breed unprompted. Give it bogwood to rasp, a mature tank and gentle tank mates, and it will be a long-lived, hard-working centrepiece.