Ancistrus sp. "Pucallpa" & "Pucallpa Gold"
Ancistrus sp. "Pucallpa", pair
Ancistrus sp. "Pucallpa", male
Ancistrus sp. "Pucallpa", female
Ancistrus sp. "Pucallpa", juvenile
Various species of bristlenose are regularly imported in large numbers, mainly from Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. Determining the exact species status is not easy, especially when the collection location is unknown. The "common bristlenose" - already known and bred for decades - are probably descendents of Ancistrus cirrhosus from the Paraná River basin that have potentially been hybridized since with other species. These fish can get quite large (6 inches, 15 cm) and appear to be sensitive to temperatures above 78 F (26 °C), which manifests in high mortality due to bacterial infections.
In contrast, my fish shown here were imported from Northeastern Peru. The species name is yet unknown, but they have been identified as Ancistrus sp. "Pucallpa" by Ingo Seidel. They like water temperatures from 75-86 °F (24-30 °C), which makes them more suitable for the average tropical fish tank. They do not exceed 5 inches (12 cm) in total length, which is a plus in a smaller tank. I also bred albinos from these original imports that I call "Pucallpa Gold". Here are some juveniles.
In general, these are my favorite tank cleaners, because they are not aggressive, prevent algae buildup, and eat leftover food. But to keep them in good shape, feeding them properly with a mixed diet of tablets, flakes, and frozen food is a must.