💛 Longfin Blue Eye Lemon Bristlenose Pleco Care Guide (Ancistrus sp.)

🌟 Overview The Longfin Blue Eye Lemon Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.) is a rare and stunning freshwater pleco variety, admired for its vibrant yellow body, flowing long fins, and striking bright blue eyes. Hardy and peaceful, this pleco is a great algae eater and tank cleaner, making it both practical and eye-catching. A must-have for aquarists looking for a unique bottom-dweller.

🔑 Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Ancistrus sp.
• Common Name: Longfin Blue Eye Lemon Bristlenose Pleco
• Origin: Captive-bred variety of Bristlenose Pleco
• Size: 4–5 inches (10–13 cm)
• Lifespan: 5–8 years
• Temperament: Peaceful, shy bottom-dweller
• Care Level: Easy to Moderate

🏠 Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
• Water Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• Hardness: 6–15 dGH
• Substrate: Sand or fine gravel
• Aquascape: Provide driftwood (they rasp on it for fiber), caves, and hiding spots
• Lighting: Low to moderate — they prefer shaded areas

🍽️ Diet

These plecos are primarily herbivorous with some protein needs:

• Algae wafers & sinking pleco pellets
• Blanched vegetables: zucchini, cucumber, spinach, peas
• Occasional frozen foods: bloodworms, brine shrimp
• Driftwood for natural grazing

🧑🤝🧑 Tank Mates

• Excellent for peaceful community tanks
• Great with tetras, guppies, rasboras, danios, corydoras, mollies, and other small fish
• Avoid large aggressive cichlids that may harass them
• Can be kept with shrimp and snails

🧠 Behavior & Tips

• Nocturnal → more active at night, but will adapt to daytime feeding
• Males grow bushy bristles on their snouts, females have fewer/smaller bristles
• Breeding is possible with caves and good conditioning
• Excellent algae cleaners but still require supplemental feeding

❓ FAQ

Q: How big do Longfin Blue Eye Lemon Plecos get?
A: They grow to about 4–5 inches, smaller than common plecos.

Q: Are they good algae eaters?
A: Yes, they’re excellent algae grazers but need additional foods.

Q: Do they breed easily?
A: With caves and proper care, yes — males guard eggs until fry hatch.

Q: How long do they live?
A: On average, 5–8 years with proper care.