Bristlenose Pleco

The bristlenose pleco is a small armored catfish in the family Loricariidae, native to rivers and streams of South America. It has a broad, flattened body covered in bony plates, mottled brown to gray coloration, and, in mature males, a distinctive cluster of fleshy tentacles on the snout. It is a peaceful, largely nocturnal bottom-dweller that spends its time grazing algae and biofilm from surfaces. It is territorial toward other plecos but ignores most other fish. It is a hardy, popular algae eater suited to a wide range of community tanks, needing driftwood to rasp on for fiber and a diet supplemented with algae wafers and vegetables. It breeds readily in caves, where the male guards the eggs and fry. Its modest size and easygoing nature make it an excellent beginner catfish.