Bushy Nose Pleco

Bushy Nose Pleco

Description of the Bushy Nose Pleco
The Bushy Nose Pleco is a really useful addition to a community freshwater tropical tank. They are bottom dwellers and spend their time eating algae from the sides and bottom of the tank. In Malaysia, the pleco is known as 'ikan bandaraya' which translates to 'municipal fish' due to the way they can clean fish tanks. The photograph above shows a juvenile pleco, its bristles only appear once the pleco is mature.

Profile of the Bushy Nose Pleco
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Bushy Nose Pleco species.

• Size: Up to 15cm

• Fish Tank conditions: Temp: 22 to 29 Degrees. PH 5.5 to 8.0

• Diet / Feeding: Algae, Flaked Food and Vegetables

• Temperament: Good Community Fish

• Habitat: Caves and hollows on the river bed

• Behaviour: Generally peaceful, males can be territorial

• Range: Amazon River, South America

Scientific Classification of the Bushy Nose Pleco
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

• Species: Ancistrus

• Popular Name: Bushy Nose Pleco

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Siluriformes

• Family: Loricariidae

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Bushy Nose Pleco?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist! Male Pleco's have more bristles than females and tend to be longer and wider. The females bristles are usually be on her chin, whereas the males bristles are on the centre of his head.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Bushy Nose Pleco slimy?
Bushy Nose Pleco secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Bushy Nose Pleco to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Bushy Nose Pleco have gills?
Gills enable the Bushy Nose Pleco to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Bushy Nose Pleco have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

• Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Bushy Nose Pleco has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Bushy Nose Pleco has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Bushy Nose Pleco has Caudal fins to propel through the water.

• Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Bushy Nose Pleco has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement

Interesting Facts and Information about Bushy Nose Pleco