The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Orange & Black Bristlenose Pleco Ancistrus 3cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Orange and Black Bristlenose Pleco is a piebald colour form of the common bristlenose, patched in bright orange and dark brown with standard, short fins. Descended from South American Ancistrus and bred entirely in captivity, it is a tireless grazer of algae and stays small. A great choice for beginners and peaceful community tanks.
- Adult Size: Around 10–12 cm (4–5 in); females slightly smaller
- Lifespan: 5–8 years, sometimes longer
Origin
- Native to: Tank-bred; wild ancestors from South American rivers
- Habitat: Flowing, oxygen-rich water with wood and rocks
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, mainly vegetable matter
- Preferred Foods: Algae wafers, courgette, cucumber, peas, sinking pellets, bloodworm
- Feeding Habits: Feed after lights out; keep bogwood available for grazing
Tank Mates
- Best with: Tetras, guppies, mollies, corydoras, gouramis
- Avoid: Large cichlids, aggressive bottom-dwellers, boisterous bullies
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful and mostly solitary
- Territoriality: Males squabble over caves; keep singly or as a pair
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Challenges: Needs a mature, well-oxygenated tank and regular vegetable feeding
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard
- Temperature: 21–26°C (70–79°F)
- pH: 5.5–7.5
- Hardness: 1–15 dGH
- Flow: Moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 60 litres for one or a pair; larger for groups
Final Notes
Growth is moderate and the adult stays compact, so this is one of the few plecos safe for smaller tanks. Pattern varies between individuals and can shift slightly as the fish matures. Males develop head bristles and pectoral odontodes; females stay plain. It spawns in caves with the male guarding the brood, often in a community setting. Provide bogwood for grazing and a mature tank and it will thrive.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.