Ancistrus Book

Ancistrus sp. “Aquarium strain”

Ancistrus sp. "Aquarium strain"
Photograph: Ingo Seidel
Availability
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Breeding
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Keeping
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Current
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IUCN
2
Size
(M) 12-15 cm / 5-6"
Aquarium size
ab 80 cm / from 3 ft
pH-Value
pH 6-8,5
Conductivity
< 900 µS/cm
Temperature
20-28 °C / 68-82 °F
Names and synonyms
Common bristlenose catfish, brown bristlenose catfish, often mistakenly called blue bristlenose catfish, Ancistrus dolichopterus or Ancistrus temminckii. However, this is based on a confusion with the real A. dolichopterus (L 183), which can show a bluish sheen.
Common bristlenose catfish are medium-sized, quite slender, and, like many other species, display light brown to light gray spots on a dark brown background. While the males develop a very large antler of long and partially branched tentacles, the females at best only have very short appendages on the edge of their snouts. Males also develop short, fleshy tentacles on the elongated pectoral fin spines.

Relationships between Ancistrus forms

Overview: Ancistrus sp. "aquarium strain"

"Ancistrus sp. aquarium strain" is used here for the widely kept, many-generation captive-bred bristlenose form found in the hobby. These fish are typically hardy and well adapted to common aquarium conditions. Note: this is often not a clearly traceable wild form — the focus is on practical care and breeding guidance.

Typical traits

  • Variable body shape and pattern (depending on the line)
  • Often adaptable to a range of water parameters
  • Frequently breeds readily when conditioned (cave spawner)

Breeding (quick) & full guide

Breeding often succeeds with several suitable caves, low stress around the cave area and excellent water quality/oxygen. Full step-by-step guide:Bristlenose breeding (Ancistrus) – step by step.

Further reading

Further information (such as origin, keeping, care and breeding) aboutAncistrus sp. "Aquarienstamm" can be found in our new book about the loricariid catfish of the Ancistrus genus.

Antennenwelse: Die Harnischwelse der Gattung Ancistrus

640 Seiten über die Harnischwelse der Gattung Ancistrus. Mit mehr als 140 Artenporträts, brillanten Fotos und Expertenwissen von Ingo Seidel & Andreas Tanke.

Das neue Standardwerk über Ancistrus - sichere Dir noch heute Dein Exemplar

Ob Züchter, Händler oder Liebhaber: Dieses Buch bietet auf über 500 Seiten alles zur Haltung, Zucht und Artenvielfalt der beliebten Harnischwelse. Mit detaillierten Steckbriefen, Verbreitungskarten und faszinierenden Bildern ist es ein Muss für jeden Aquarianer!

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