Bristlenose Catfish - Definition and Overview

A young male Bristlenose Catfish. The bristles are not yet fully grown.

The Bristlenose Catfish or Bushymouth Catfish (Ancistrus sp.) is a South American freshwater fish from the Amazon River.

A commonly available species of Ancistrus is Ancistrus dolichopterus.

• Classification: Class Osteichthyes (bony fish) - Order Siluriformes (catfish) - Family Loricariidae (Armored Suckermouth Catfish)
  • Size: 15cm (male), 12cm (female)
• Temperature: 23-27 degrees Celsius
• Age: up to 12 years
• Feeding: algae, flake food, squash, spinach
• Sexual dimorphism: adult males have horns/antennas
• Breeding: Males attract female to small cave or hollow, then guard eggs after fertilization through hatching (4-8 days) until fry are free swimming (4-6 days after hatching)

See also

• Aquarium
• List of freshwater aquarium fish species