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We have 1 male and 2 female Ancistrus cf cirrhosis, the largest 2 are about 5 inches long. I got a ceramic pleco tube with a 1.5 inch diameter opening that’s about 6 inches long that was reviewed as being good for breeding bristlenoses. When I put it in the tank, I realized it may be too small: the male and largest female can’t easily fit inside alone and there’s no way two would fit. What kind of tube dimensions are best for “big” bristlenoses or will they squeeze into this tube if the mood strikes?

The width of the body plus half of one of the male's pectoral fin rays is a decent rule of thumb. Height depends on the pleco too.

Jools

Thanks, that’s very helpful! I’ll need at least a 2 inch diameter tube by that measure.

Any guidance on length?

Glad to help.

Doesn't really matter with most as long as the front half of their bodies or at least heads are in darkness. Not my experience, by some say too long and risk males trapping females for too long. I'd go for 125% the length of the fish if being hyper accurate but, really, not sure it matters too much. Generally, with this genus, they are not too fussy and err on the side of too big rather than tight.

Jools