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Ancistrus hoplogenys

Ancistrus L59 Bristlenose Pleco

Peaceful
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Ancistrus L59 is a wood-grazing bristlenose pleco for mature tropical community aquariums with caves, driftwood and peaceful tank mates.

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Care at a Glance

Scientific Name
Ancistrus hoplogenys
Max Adult Size
up to 20 cm
Care Level
Easy to moderate
Temperament
Peaceful
Temperature
23–28°C
pH Range
6–7.5
Minimum Tank
120L
Diet
Omnivore; biofilm, algae wafers, sinking catfish foods, vegetables and occasional protein

Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.

Similar choices available now

Close view of a brown male Ancistrus catfish with branched snout bristles
Full Care Guide

Bristlenose Pleco Care Guide: Size, Tank and Lifespan

For one typical common bristlenose, start with a mature, filtered aquarium of at least 90 litres, useful floor area, wood and cover. OATA reports about 15 cm adult length, 22-27°C, pH 6-8 and 4-12 dGH. Confirm the exact trade identity before applying species-level claims.

13 min readRead guide

Water Parameters

Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors

Temperature
23–28°C
23°CIdeal28°C
pH Level
6–7.5
6Ideal7.5

Overview

Ancistrus L59 is a white-spotted bristlenose-type loricariid sold in the trade under the L59 number. Hobby references usually connect true L59 with Ancistrus hoplogenys, but similar spotted Ancistrus can be confused in commerce, so this listing keeps the identity careful rather than over-promising certainty.

At the listed juvenile size this is a bottom-dwelling catfish for a mature tropical aquarium. It is useful for grazing biofilm and soft algae, but it still needs proper feeding and should never be treated as a complete algae-control solution.

Quick facts

Scientific anchor Ancistrus hoplogenys, sold as Ancistrus sp. L59
Adult size Up to around 20 cm for true L59; allow generous space
Care level Easy to moderate
Minimum aquarium 120 litres minimum; larger preferred for adults or pairs
Temperature 23-28°C
pH 6.0-7.5
Temperament Peaceful, with males territorial around caves
Diet Biofilm, algae wafers, sinking catfish foods, vegetables and occasional protein

Aquarium setup

Use a mature, oxygen-rich aquarium with smooth substrate, several caves and plenty of driftwood. Wood is important because it gives shelter and natural grazing surfaces. Keep filtration strong enough to manage pleco waste while avoiding harsh current in every resting area.

If you keep more than one Ancistrus, provide multiple caves and line-of-sight breaks. Adult males can defend shelters, especially in smaller tanks.

Feeding

Offer sinking catfish wafers, algae wafers, courgette, cucumber, spinach or other blanched vegetables, plus occasional protein foods such as frozen bloodworm. Feed after lights dim so food reaches the bottom and remove leftover vegetables after a few hours.

Compatibility

Good tank mates include peaceful tetras, rasboras, livebearers, Corydoras, rainbowfish and calm gouramis. Avoid large predatory cichlids, very aggressive fish and crowded bottom-dweller combinations that leave no cave space.

FAQ

Will Ancistrus L59 clean my aquarium? It grazes biofilm and soft algae, but it still needs a proper diet and normal aquarium maintenance.

Does it need driftwood? Yes. Driftwood is strongly recommended for shelter, grazing and natural behaviour.

How is it shipped? Livestock is packed carefully and sent by licensed live-animal courier with our Live Arrival Guarantee.

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