Super Red Bushy Nose Pleco

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 4"
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons   • Water Conditions: 74-80° F, KH 6-10, pH 6.0-7.5
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Farm bred, South America, Amazon   • Family: Loricariidae
• Species: Plecos   • Aquarium Type: Community

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Click/tap to view the Blog: UNDERSTANDING PLECO L-NUMBERS AND COMPLETE L-NUMBER: REFERENCE LIST (PART 1. L001 - L100).

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The Super Red Bushy Nose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.) is produced from selective breeding of the naturally occurring red color variant of the Bush Nose Pleco. Through selective line breeding of Bushy Nose Pleco that exhibited more red coloration than brown, the Super Red variant was developed. While the Super Red variant is the product of fish breeders and fish farms, the species originates from the smaller river tributaries and backwaters of northern and central portions of South America. Where their natural coloration of pale yellow or white color pattern helps them blend in with the sand and rock substrate of the streams which they inhabit.

The shallow mountain streams of their native habitat typically contain sandy rock strewn substrates along with submerged tree roots. The water is generally well oxygenated with only filtered sunlight making it through the jungle canopy above. It is in these lower light conditions that the Bushy Nose Pleco thrives in as it uses it whisker like appendages to detect food along the rocky substrate.

Their ability to detect food in low visibility conditions combined with their ability to blend into their environment has made Bushy Nose Pleco a very successful and abundant species. The flexibility and adaptability of the species makes them well suited for aquariums ranging from river habitat to planted community aquariums.

The wide distribution and often shallow water ways in which the Bushy Nose Pleco live have allowed it to thrive in a wide variety of water conditions. This is beneficial in the aquarium hobby, as they should be able to adapt to a fairly wide range of aquarium conditions once properly acclimated. Super Red Bushy Nose Pleco will appreciate aquarium conditions which are at least similar to their natural habitat, but can adapt to a variety of aquarium conditions.

The ideal conditions for this species include: well oxygenated water, areas of filtered lighting, some vegetation, tree root or driftwood and some large smooth rocks. They are well suited for both river habitat, planted and tropical community aquarium environments of at least 30 gallons or more. Under these or fairly similar conditions, hobbyists should expect their Super Red Bushy Nose Pleco have live for around 10 years.

They can be kept with other Pleco species in larger aquariums that will allow for each Pleco to have their own territory within the aquarium. It is recommended that hobbyists utilize a drip acclimation process for this species and allow them to acclimate for about 30 minutes. It is also best to shut off the aquarium lights when adding the Bushy Nose Pleco to the aquarium and leaving the lights off for about 30 minutes after.

In their natural stream habitat the Bushy Nose Pleco feed on a variety of small crustaceans, worms and decaying plant matter. They will readily adapt to commercial aquarium foods like sinking pellets and wafers that are designed for bottom feeders. They will also consume leftovers foods that make it to the aquarium substrate along with any decaying plant material. Super Red Bushy Nose Plecos will especially enjoy meaty foods like bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp; as well as, blanched vegetables like spinach and other greens.

Hobbyists should provide direct feeding in the form of sinking bottom feeder foods 2 to 3 times per week, which combined with leftover foods that the Pleco will scavenge from the substrate should be sufficient. However, it is always recommended to monitor the overall girth and appearance of your fish and make decisions on feeding frequency based on visual cues like stomach girth and overall fish health.