Starlight Bristlenose Pleco - Ancistrus dolichopterus L183

1Review
$34.99
SKU: 246871
Manufacturer: That Fish Place
MPN: 1027-pleco

Shop in Retail Store

Inventory is real time and can be impacted at any time.

RETAIL STORE ONLY, not available for shipping. Call to confirm availability and price.

Details

The Starlight Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus dolichopterus, L183) has a dark body with small white spots and light trim on the dorsal fin and tail.

As with other Ancistrus plecos, mature males with have a number of bushy "tentacles" around the mouth. Some females may have these as well however while other females and juveniles of both sexes will not. Ancistrus plecos are omnivores that eat both meaty foods as well as plant matter though they seem to eat more vegatation than meaty foods. They are generally safe for planted aquariums and stay smaller than most other pleco species.


The fish commonly known as "plecos" come from the family Loricariidae, also known as the "armored catfish". They include fish from the genera Ancistrus, Baryancistrus, Chaetostoma, Hypostomus, Leporacanthicus, Panaque, Peckoltia, Pseudancistrus and many others. They are known to many as "suckerfish" due to the shape of their body and mouth and are often sold as algae-eaters even though many of them eat little algae. In addition to the two-part scientific names used for all living things, plecos also have their own naming system that identifies them by "L-number" or "LDA-number". Though this is not an "official" naming method, it is popular among hobbyists and collectors.

Plecos are generally flattened with a large, round head and skinnier body. The body is covered by hard plates and many have strong spines in their fins and even along the body. The mouths are on the underside of the fish and are used to rasp food from hard surfaces and to help the pleco maintain its position in the water flow.

Plecos are commonly purchased by new and experienced aquarists alike as algae-eaters; most plecos do not eat algae or need other foods in their diet as well. The genera Ancistrus, Peckoltia and Otocinclus are a few common, smaller plecos that will help control algae without eating live plants. Many others are omnivores (eat both plant matter and meaty foods), carnivores (primarily eat meaty foods) or scavengers (eat whatever they can find). Some plecos, notably those from the Panaque genus, even eat wood as part of their diet.

Many plecos also get very large and their size as well as their waste production make them unsuitable for small aquariums. The very common Trinidad Pleco/Common Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus) grows close to two feet in length. As with any other tank residents, choose plecos carefully with respect to their size, behavior and diet.

Specifications

Specifications
Common NameStarlight Bristlenose Pleco
Scientific NameAncistrus dolichopterus L183
OriginSouth America
Max Size (in inches)4
Community SafeYes
pH Range5.0-6.5
DietOmnivore (mostly plants)
Min Tank Size (in gallons)20
Temperature Range72-80
DifficultyEasy

State Restrictions
Alaska
Armed Forces Americas
Armed Forces Europe
Armed Forces Pacific
California
Hawaii
Puerto Rico

Instructions

Ratings & Reviews

1 review

  • 4 stars
  • 0 reviews
  • 3 stars
  • 0 reviews
  • 2 stars
  • 0 reviews
  • 1 star
  • 0 reviews

Amazing little guys!

by

I have a SBP [Starlight Bristlenose Pleco] on my 55 gallon tank and I love him..He gets along great with my cory cats.He even comes to the surface and feeds out of my finger.Because of their small size,4 inches,they are for tanks 20 gallons minimum.Get this fish if you have an algae problem.