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L183 Starlight Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus dolichopterus
📍 South America
The L183 Starlight Bristlenose Pleco is a stunning nocturnal catfish featuring white spots on a dark body that resemble stars in the night sky. This peaceful algae-eater is an excellent addition to planted and community tanks, growing to a moderate size and requiring minimal special care. They are hardy, long-lived fish that spend most of their time grazing on algae and wood surfaces.
Care Guide
Diet
Feed high-quality sinking pellets, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables such as zucchini and spinach 2-3 times weekly. Supplement with driftwood for natural grazing and calcium intake. They will consume algae naturally in the tank but benefit from additional vegetable matter.
Behavior
Nocturnal and reclusive, spending daylight hours hidden in caves or under decorations. They become more active during evening and night hours when they forage for food. Generally solitary but can coexist peacefully with other non-aggressive species.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is moderately difficult and requires specific conditions including caves for spawning, stable water parameters, and patience. Males guard eggs and fry aggressively. Provide multiple hiding spots and maintain pristine water quality to encourage spawning behavior.
Tank Mates
Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy different water zones
Compatible algae-eater that shares similar peaceful temperament and feeding habits
Peaceful mid-water dweller that won't compete with bottom-feeding pleco
Compatible bottom-dweller with similar peaceful nature and water parameter requirements
Peaceful schooling fish that occupy middle water column without competing for resources
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against surfaces
Increase water temperature to 28-30 C (82-86 F), perform frequent water changes, use aquarium salt or ich medication as directed
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality through frequent water changes, reduce stress, use antibacterial medication if severe
Bacterial Infection
Open sores, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, color fading
Perform 50% water changes daily, maintain optimal water parameters, use broad-spectrum antibacterial medication
Parasitic Infection
Excessive scratching, weight loss, visible parasites on body, clamped fins
Quarantine affected fish, treat with anti-parasitic medication, maintain pristine water conditions
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore - primarily herbivorous, feeding on algae and plant matter with occasional protein
- lifespan
- 8-12 years
- max size
- 13 cm (5 in)
- tank size
- 40 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0-7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 4-8 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)