Overview
TemperamentConditionally peaceful
Social modelPair
Minimum group size1
Adult size8.9–9.1 cm
Primary swimming zoneBottom
DietHerbivore
Care
Minimum aquarium volume80–80 L (allowed 54–80 L)
Suitable aquarium proportionsStandard
Water temperature22–26 °C (allowed 21–26 °C)
pH6–7.5 (allowed 5.5–7.5)
General hardness1–15 °dGH (allowed 1–18 °dGH)
Oxygen demandElevated
FeedingThe main diet consists of plant food and growths: the fish scrapes algae and biofilm from glass, substrate, and decorations. A piece of driftwood is essential (it consumes its surface). It is recommended to feed high-quality sinking plant tablets/wafers and fresh vegetables (zucchini, cucumber, lettuce) at least once a week; a small amount of frozen animal food (bloodworms, Artemia, mussels) can be given as a supplement. The diet should be varied.
Compatibility
CompatibilityAncistrus is a peaceful bottom fish that coexists well with most peaceful community species (tetras, livebearers, non-aggressive cichlids, etc.). The main restriction is intraspecific territoriality: adult males conflict with each other and with similar-looking bottom catfish; therefore, only one male is kept in a small volume, providing each with a cave/hiding place.
Plant safetyMay damage
Plant-eating behaviourIn nature, it is an algae-eater scraping benthic algae and encrustations, and in the aquarium, it tends to scrape and damage broad-leaved soft plants (e.g., Echinodorus), so hardy or fast-growing small-leaved species are preferred.
Interaction with invertebratesAncistrus are peaceful towards most invertebrates and usually do not hunt adult shrimps and snails, but may accidentally damage or eat very small invertebrates and eggs when scraping surfaces.
Incompatible groupsPeaceful towards other species but territorial towards conspecifics and similar-shaped fish — males may fight over territory in a too-tightly stocked aquarium, so overly large/aggressive fish and fin-nipping species that can damage long fins and provoke conflict are undesirable.
Reference illustration · may contain inaccuracies
