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Fancy bristlenose plecos

Reserve or join the waitlist

Bristlenose plecos (Ancistrus) are the algae crew most community tanks actually need. They reach about 4–5 inches, unlike the "common pleco" sold in big-box stores, which can outgrow a home aquarium. We breed a few fancy lines:

• L144 blue-eye: yellow-gold with blue eyes.
• Super red: deep orange-red.
• Longfin: flowing fins, in common and albino.

New to plecos? Read our bristlenose care guide on tank setup, feeding and breeding.

Rare L-number plecos

Beyond bristlenose we keep small groups of sought-after L-number plecos: L134 Leopard Frog, L397 Alenquer Tiger, L128 Blue Phantom, L114 Leopard Cactus, L025 Scarlet Cactus and L018 Gold Nugget. For zebra and other Hypancistrus, see our rare plecos.

Raised for the trip

We sell them at a size where they're eating well and past the delicate stage. Pickup in Groton by arrangement, or shipped in insulated boxes Monday to Wednesday.

Care basics

Give them driftwood to rasp, a cave or two, and vegetables (zucchini, blanched spinach) alongside algae wafers. They tolerate a wide range of water, which is part of why they suit beginners.

Fish stores: ask us about standing orders of bristlenose at a consistent size.

Varieties

• L134 Leopard Frog pleco: Small yellow-banded pleco from the Rio Tapajós whose stripes break into spots with age.
• L397 Alenquer Tiger pleco: A wood-eating Panaqolus with bold tiger stripes, bred repeatedly in captivity.
• L128 Blue Phantom pleco: Spotted blue-grey pleco from the Orinoco, one of the most striking Hemiancistrus.
• L114 Leopard Cactus pleco: A large, spiny, spotted cactus pleco from the Rio Negro basin.
• L025 Scarlet Cactus pleco: Banded Xingu cactus pleco with bright red-orange fins.
• L018 Gold Nugget pleco: Black Xingu pleco covered in yellow spots, with gold-edged fins when young.
• L144 blue-eye bristlenose: Yellow-gold bristlenose with striking blue eyes.
• Super red bristlenose: Orange-red bristlenose pleco that brightens a community tank.
• Longfin bristlenose: Bristlenose with long, flowing fins, in common and albino.
• Albino bristlenose: Pale gold-pink bristlenose with red eyes; a classic beginner pleco.