Bushy Nose Pleco Information

The bushy-nose plecostomus, a type of suckermouth armored catfish, commonly appears in tropical freshwater aquariums. It is one of only a few species of plecostomus--or pleco--cultured and not regularly imported.

  1. Appearance

    • Bushy-nose plecos have distinct soft tentacles on the snout region and can be light gray to dark brown with a dotted pattern of lighter or darker markings. According to professors Jeffrey E. Hill and Roy P.E. Yanong at the University of Florida's Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, the bushy-nose pleco grows to about 5 inches, which is small compared with other types of plecostomus.

    Origin

    • The plecostomus family is native to South America and particularly favors flowing water. The genera Ancistrus, which contains the bushy-nose pleco, is widely cultured.

    Diet

    • In the wild, bushy-nose plecos eat algae, detritus, insects and even wood. When kept in captivity, these fish should be fed primarily fresh vegetables, such as cucumber, broccoli and asparagus stems, spinach leaves and squash. The diet may be supplemented with specialty fish foods that contain few animal proteins.

    Breeding

    • Plecos generally spawn in dark, concealed areas such as caves, holes and the underside of rocks. According to Hill and Yanong, the male plecostomus guards the egg mass and may even watch over his offspring for a short period of time after they hatch.

    History

    • The bushy-nose plecostomus has been a popular aquarium fish since at least the early 20th century. The species is renowned for its algae-eating ability.