Long-Fin Albino Bristlenose Care Guide
The long-fin albino bristlenose is a captive-bred ornamental Ancistrus form with extended fins and reduced pigment, sharing standard bristlenose care.
Overview
The long-fin albino bristlenose is a captive-bred ornamental form of the genus Ancistrus (family Loricariidae) rather than a distinct wild species. It combines two selected traits: an albino colour with reduced pigment, and elongated fins. Its biology and care follow the common bristlenose; Seriously Fish provides the reference husbandry data used here.
Taxonomy
- Family: Loricariidae
- Genus: Ancistrus
- Scientific name: Ancistrus sp. 'Long-Fin Albino'
- Order: Siluriformes
- Note: man-made ornamental line, no valid species name
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
- Decor: driftwood, caves and shaded refuges; moderate flow
Diet
An omnivore. Seriously Fish recommends a varied diet of sinking dried foods, frozen Daphnia, mosquito and chironomid larvae and prawn, alongside fresh vegetables, parboiled potato and gelatine-bound preparations with Spirulina.
Compatibility
Seriously Fish describes the common bristlenose as relatively peaceful but territorial toward conspecifics and similarly shaped species. As a bottom-dweller it suits peaceful community tanks with small characins and Corydoras; other territorial plecos are best avoided. Long fins may be nipped by fin-nipping tankmates.
Breeding
Ancistrus are cave-spawners in which the male guards the eggs and fry, and juveniles may appear without intervention in mature tanks (Seriously Fish). Males develop odontodes on the pectoral fins and opercle plus head tentacles, while females lack these structures. As an ornamental line, offspring may segregate for the long-fin and albino traits.