Your cart is empty.
Your cart is empty.The L183 Starlight Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus dolichopterus), also known as the White Seam Bristlenose Pleco, is a member of the Loricariidae family of South American suckermouth catfishes. While many suckermouth catfish species have yet to be bred on any major scale in aquariums, the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco is being propogated by a few commercial breeders. Its facial area becomes adorned with many bristle-like appendages beginning in sub-adulthood. Both sexes grow the appendages, but the growth and length is much more pronounced in males. This species is distinctly different than the many other more common bristlenose species, most of which are part of the Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus superspecies. The Starlight Bristlenose Pleco has an overall black body that is covered in bright spots and it also has a noticeable white seam on its dorsal fin and tail. A generally peaceful and hardy species, the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco is an excellent, undemanding candidate for most aquariums. Unlike the widely-seen Common Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus) and Trinidad Pleco (Hypostomus punctatus), which easily reach a monstrous size of 18 to 20+ inches (45 to 51+ cm), the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco grows to a size of only 4 to 5.9 inches (10 to 15 cm). This smaller size makes for a much more manageable (and less messy) pleco that can thrive permanently in a well-maintained aquarium as small as 40 to 55 gallons. Male plecos may be somewhat territorial with other males of their species, but disputes can usually be diffused by providing ample territory and hiding places for each fish. All other tankmates will be generally ignored, although it is possible that small shrimp fry might fall prey to the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco. However, some large-scale shrimp suppliers breed Bristlenose Plecos in the same pools they use for shrimp breeding. The Starlight Bristlenose Pleco is primarily nocturnal, but will often become active during daytime hours once established in an aquarium with plenty of driftwood, rockwork, and other hiding places. It is not known to eat wood heavily like some plecos (Panaque sp., etc.), but it may benefit from some supplementary wood (or bio-film on driftwood). The Starlight Bristlenose Pleco will not bother most plants, but it will eat plenty of algae in the aquarium, especially as a juvenile. Feed the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco a diet heavy in vegetable matter, including high-quality vegetable flakes, sinking algae wafers and pellets. It will also appreciate being fed some fresh vegetables such as shelled peas, spinach, zucchini and cucumber. Occasional meaty foods such as bloodworms are also beneficial when fed sparingly. This fish eats constantly, so too much meat/animal protein in its diet can be unhealthy for the fish as well as the level of waste it produces in the aquarium.
Cheryl S.
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2025
Our pleco came well packaged. It was very healthy in appearance upon arrival. It came via usps from California to Ohio in the winter and arrived perfectly fine. It took four days from day it shipped. I would say it is about one inch in length which is the advertised max length for ordering the jr. Pleco. Very happy with purchase and feel it is worth the money. The color and appearance exactly as advertised.
Shamraern
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2025
I waited two weeks to put my review in to make sure my little guy was doing well. Very small, but very healthy and truly beautiful.
Sunshine
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2025
DEAD and tinier than a fingernail clipping. HORRIBLE!!!!!
Amanda Serrano
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2025
A beautiful pleco! Was very small (a baby) so I kept it in a small tank for several months until it got big enough to join my larger tank. Growing quickly, very active and is like no other fish I’ve had. So happy, thank you!
Ashley Nieves Welsh
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2025
So it's been 3 weeks the pleco was doing great . My tank is perfect condition. And today I woke up to a dead pleco? Not sure what happen ?
Carotenoid
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2024
Absolutely gorgeous baby. Be aware, mine came maybe around 6mm and they are very good at hiding so I was heartbroken thinking another fish had eaten her but she was just small & sneaky. Might keep them separate from other fish until they are large enough to not be a snack just in case. So excited to see her grow up!
LAB
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2024
This fish was so tiny that it took me almost 10 minutes to even find it in its shipping bag. It was also 100% dead. I even gave it a chance to try to revive, but no the poor little thing was dead. It was also less than an inch long. Definitely not worth the money they’re charging. If there were a way to give it less than one star, I would.
Sharon Vaughn
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2024
I thought my angel ate him. But I was cleaning the sides and decorating the tank for Halloween and guess who's a good hider ? Yep he is. I almost cried when I saw he was alive. He's beautiful. But why so small? For the size I feel he was too expensive in the first place , but I was shoked to see how tiny he is.
Recommended Products
$27.99
$ 12 .99 $12.99
$29.99
$ 13 .99 $13.99