Bristlenose plecos

All posts regarding the care and breeding of these catfishes from South America.
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Ladybugzcrunch
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Bristlenose plecos

Post by Ladybugzcrunch »

At what size do male bristlenose typically get bristles?
mangopleco
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Re: Bristlenose plecos

Post by mangopleco »

you will see a little bit of growth when about 2inches
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trebor69
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Re: Bristlenose plecos

Post by trebor69 »

each type can be a little different...but usually by 2 inches TL you can tell who is gunna be male

sometimes females will get bristles around their lip...but if you see any bristles starting up on top the nose...its a male
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Re: Bristlenose plecos

Post by MatsP »

For the common bristlenose, , I'd say males get their bristles between 1.75-2.5" depending on several different factors (some factors are "lineage" - who the parents are, the environment they grow up in, and quite likely their status in the group - higher status -> more bristles).

Females of this species rarely develop ANY bristles, and they only occur in older females in my experience.

As stated, other species of Ancistrus do indeed vary greatly. get bristles quite early, and the females can have quite a bit of growth too.

--
Mats
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