The albino bristlenose pleco is a stunning freshwater fish that can be hard to find. Due to their low-maintenance nature and rarity, this species is rather sought after in the fishkeeping scene.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about albino bristlenose pleco care. You’ll learn about their diet, size, lifespan, and more!
Quick Facts 
Scientific Name: Ancistrus cirrhosus
Other Names: Bushy Nose Pleco, Bristlenose Catfish
Lifespan: 5 years-12 years
Size: 3-5 inches
Care: Easy
Diet: Algae, Tiny insect larvae, Plant-based materials
Water Conditions: 60°F-80°F, 6.5 – 7.5pH, 6-10 dKH
Tank size: 25 gallon
Behavior: Pretty relaxed, Peaceful
Breeding Difficulty: Low
Table of Contents
Species Summary
The albino bristlenose pleco (Ancistrus cirrhosus var Albino) is a beautiful fish that can liven up any tank. Great for seasoned and newbie fish-keepers alike, this type of pleco is hardy enough to survive most conditions. It’s highly adaptable and doesn’t require the meticulous care other species need.
The pleco goes by many names. You might see it as the albino bushy nose catfish or other similar monikers. Whatever it’s called, there’s no denying this fish’s uniqueness.
As you might have guessed by its common name, this fish is a distinct variant of the bristlenose pleco. It’s albino and lacks the pigmentation that standard bristlenoses have. Therefore, it stands out like a sore thumb!
Unfortunately, that makes the fish a prime target in its native South American waters. Due to their unnatural genetic mutation, these fish have many natural predators in the Amazon and its tributaries.
Fortunately, they’re usually safe and comfortable in captivity, making them a popular choice for aquarists lucky enough to own them.
Appearance
Two primary physical features stand out for this fish. The first is its color!
Because albino bristlenose plecos lack pigmentation, they don’t have the same dark brown or muddy green color as other bristlenoses. Instead, they are usually white, pink, or yellow.
Pinkish-white hues are the most common. Some aquarists refer to it as a fleshy color akin to albino snakes and other creatures. The fish that aren’t pink or white are usually an attractive shade of yellowish tan.
Albino bristlenose plecos also lack pigment in their eyes. So instead of those bead-like black balls, you’re getting somewhat menacing red eyes! It’s a unique quirk that most albino creatures have.
Next to the distinct coloration, another thing that sets this fish apart is its barb-like appendages. It’s this species’ namesake. The appendages appear when the fish reaches maturity.
They’re much more pronounced in males, but even females have them.
Albino bristlenose plecos have many of the same core features as any other pleco. That includes a flattened body, rayed fins, and an enormous triangular dorsal fin.
Author Note: Albino bristlenose plecos tend to have broader heads and beefier body shapes than their pigmented counterparts. But beyond that, they’re nearly identical.
Lifespan
There’s no way to guarantee a living animal’s life expectancy. Like any other pet you might have, albino bristlenose plecos are susceptible to disease and early death (more on that later).
They’re also at the whims of the environment you create for them. Lackluster water quality can shorten their lifespan significantly.
The good news is that good husbandry can pave the way for longer life in captivity than what these fish experience in the wild. In the safety of a well-maintained tank, an albino bristlenose pleco usually has a lifespan between five and seven years. It’s incredibly rare for any specimen to live past seven years.
Average Size
Your average albino bristlenose pleco isn’t as big as many aquarists think. There are undoubtedly monstrous pleco species out there, but this isn’t one of them!
Most adults will only reach lengths of about three to four inches long. That’s comparatively small, and the fish only looks big because of its expansive fin span.
You may see your fish reach lengths of five inches if you’re lucky. Even rarer is the coveted six-inch albino bristlenose. Please don’t get too excited, though; It’s rare for these fish to reach that upper end of the size spectrum.
Most will stop growing after four inches, giving you a small fish that’s easy to care for in a modest tank.
Albino Bristlenose Pleco Care
Don’t let this fish’s looks fool you. Many assume its genetic mutation makes it a challenging species to care for in captivity. That can be true for some other albino animals, but the bristlenose is naturally resilient.
The albino variant may look different, but it still has the hardiness of standard Bristlenoses in its DNA!
But as always, this fish has its preferences. Follow these albino bristlenose pleco care guidelines to keep your fish happy and healthy.
Tank Size
Let’s start with tank size. Most expert aquarists recommend keeping these fish in tanks with around 29 gallons. Twenty-five gallons will do if you own a single pleco or a small group, but 29 gallons will offer more room for their scavenging lifestyle.
These fish aren’t massive at all. However, they need room to roam! They have distinct behaviors that aren’t possible in a cramped tank.
Furthermore, larger aquariums will be easier to maintain water quality. Albino bristlenose plecos defecate more than you might think, given its size. As a result, they tend to make water conditions go south quickly.
The pleco’s impact isn’t as extreme with a more sizable aquarium. That means more stable water conditions and fewer dangerous ammonia and nitrate spikes. So if possible, go big!
Water Parameters
Like any fish you plan to keep in captivity, the best course of action is to replicate its natural habitat as closely as water. That includes water conditions.
Fortunately, that’s pretty easy for the albino bristlenose pleco. They hail from the Amazon River and surrounding tributaries. Many of the freshwater fish you see in the trade today come from the same area.
It’s all warm water, slight acidity, and plenty of oxygenation.
One nice part of albino bristlenose pleco care is that this is an adaptable fish. It would be best if you stuck within the preferred parameters below, but you don’t have to be ultra-precise. Plecos typically adjust well, allowing you to focus on the needs of more demanding tank mates.
Here are a few basic water parameters to help create a healthy pleco environment.
- Water temperature: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (Around 70 degrees is ideal)
- pH levels: 6.5 to 7.6 (Aim for neutral)
- Water hardness: 2 to 12 dGH
Tank Setup
Decorating your tank is one of the more enjoyable parts of the setup process. While albino bristlenose plecos are generally unfussy, it’s best to recreate their natural habitat as closely as possible. It’s about more than keeping the fish comfortable. The right decorations will affect its lifestyle.
These fish are natural-born scavengers. In the wild, they stick to the bottom and middle parts of the water column. They do the same in captivity.
When feeding, albino bristlenose plecos typically stick to the substrate and chow down on everything from plant detritus to fish leftovers!
The most important thing you need in your tank is a suitable substrate material. It should be chunky enough to allow food to fall through but smooth enough not to harm those delicate tentacle-like bristles. Sand alone is not the right choice.
However, many aquarists like to layer several substrates to create an environment conducive to the fish’s scavenging nature. A layer of sand topped with a thick layer of smooth gravel is fantastic. Replace that sand with clay, and it’s even better!
As for other decorations, you can add driftwood, large rocks, and other surfaces that accumulate algae. This fish doesn’t strictly eat algae, but it doesn’t hurt to encourage its growth. Whatever you add, make sure that it’s smooth. Sharp edges are a big no-no!
You can add plants if you want, but be warned most of these fish will destroy them. If you must have plant life for other tank mates, consider using silk plants glued to the tank. That approach ensures that your plecos won’t uproot the decor.
Last but not least, let’s not forget about filtration. Remember how we said that albino bristlenose plecos produce a ton of waste? A powerful filtration system is a must!
Hang-on-back filters will work if you’re in a pinch. But the better choice is canister filters. Keep those filters in good shape, and waste won’t be an issue.
Common Possible Diseases
For the most part, albino bristlenose plecos are healthy fish.
They look similar to the other fish species in your tank. But examine them closely, and you’ll see they have large armor plates. They’re tough fish that don’t get sick too often.
The main thing you have to worry about is rising ammonia and nitrates. Ammonia levels should never get higher than 20 ppm. If they do, it’s only a matter of time before your bristlenose succumbs to bacterial infection.
Ammonia also causes stress to the fish, making them susceptible to conditions like ich. These fish can also suffer from fungal infections and parasites. Those issues are usually a byproduct of accumulating filth.
Replace about a quarter of the water volume every couple of weeks to keep ammonia and nitrates under control. Maintain the filtration system, too. It’ll do much of the heavy lifting to keep your albino bristlenose pleco healthy.
Another critical thing to know is that albino bristlenose plecos are susceptible to digestion issues. Overfeeding can lead to compaction, illness, and subsequent death. It isn’t easy to know how much these fish eat because of their non-stop scavenging. As a result, keeping an eye on their activity and health is paramount.
Food & Diet
Albino bristlenose plecos are predominantly bottom-feeding fish. They will eat some protein but prefer to snack on plant detritus over anything else. That’s why having some driftwood around is a good idea.
Not only does the driftwood provide plenty of surface area for algae to grow, but it’s also a good source of dietary fiber.
Ideally, an albino bristlenose pleco’s diet should be about 85 percent plant-based foods and 15 percent protein.
The protein can come from sinking fish pellets. Any well-balanced commercial food will do. You can also provide the occasional snack of bloodworms or brine shrimp!
For the rest, provide algae wafers and blanched vegetables. These plecos love foods like:
- Romaine lettuce
- Peas
- Broccoli
- Cucumbers
- Cabbage
- Carrots
Keep an eye on those blanched vegetables. When the fish are done eating, take out the rest. Otherwise, the water quality will suffer.
Monitor your fish’s health. These fish scavenge frequently, so they will eat much more than the food you provide. If you notice that they’re lethargic or lack the appetite they usually have, you may want to scale back on the foods you provide.
Behavior & Temperament
Aggression usually isn’t an issue with the albino bristlenose pleco. These fish are relatively peaceful and often pay tank mates no mind whatsoever.
The only exception is if you’re keeping several bottom-dwellers in a cramped tank. These fish need their space. It’s not that they’re territorial, but they need room to live freely.
Other than that, their temperament is peaceful. They stick to the bottom of the tank, only occasionally venturing to the middle of the water column.
You can watch these fish scavenging for food across every inch of the tank when they’re active. They’ll sift through the substrate, spend a ton of time eating algae, and sometimes stick to the glass. If they decide to eat algae off the glass, you can see their little sucker mouths working on the algae!
Now, don’t be alarmed if your albino bristlenose pleco lays motionless for hours at a time. That’s typical behavior. The fish is resting and may be eating without you realizing it. Many aquarists think the fish is dead, but that’s not the case.
Author Note: Some albino bristlenose plecos can be skittish. To avoid unnecessary stress, provide them with plenty of hiding spaces. Large pieces of driftwood the fish can hide under, rock caves they go into to evade rowdy fish, and quaint corners can do a lot to help these fish live comfortably.
Albino Bristlenose Pleco Tank Mates
The sky’s the limit when choosing albino bristlenose plecos tank mates. There are a few reasons for this.
First, the fish comes from warm Amazonian waters. South America is where most of the tropical freshwater fish in the trade come from naturally. As a result, there’s tons of compatibility in terms of water conditions.
Secondly, albino bristlenose plecos are easygoing. They’re not aggressive and can get along with most species.
Finally, these fish occupy the bottom of the water column. Because they don’t venture throughout the entire tank, you can easily add tank mates that stick to their own lane.
Other docile fish species are best for creating a community tank. Some good albino bristlenose pleco tank mates include:
It’s ideal to avoid keeping these fish with other bottom-dwellers. Other pleco species, crustaceans, and shrimp can cause trouble. It’s a good idea to steer clear of aggressors, too.
Aggressive species like cichlids can pick fights.
Author Note: You can keep multiple albino bristlenose plecos together. However, you must ensure there’s ample space for everyone. Unlike other fish species, these plecos aren’t shoaling fish.
They sometimes appreciate the company of others, but they can also live happily on their own.
Breeding
Want to breed these fish and keep that albino mutation going strong? It’s pretty easy. Albino bristlenose plecos typically produce young during the winter, but you can take steps to trigger its spawning.
Start by setting up a separate breeding tank. It should hold around 30 gallons of water. Keep the temperature somewhere between 73 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, add a good amount of decor.
Add driftwood pieces, caves, and other hiding places. Driftwood is the most important thing. You’ll see why in a minute.
Finally, make sure that the filters are fry-safe. Use sponges on any inlets to ensure that none of the hatched babies get sucked into the filter!
When ready, add two females for every male. Remember: Males have the more pronounced bristle appendages.
Feed the fish plenty of high-quality foods. Then, begin changing about 50 percent of the water. That should trigger spawning.
You’ll know you’re successful when you see the female deposit eggs on the driftwood. After she does that, the male will guard them diligently. Unlike other species, the albino bristlenose pleco doesn’t eat its eggs.
They have some parental instincts, which is a joy to watch.
In about ten days, the eggs will hatch. You can move the babies into a nursery tank to improve their odds of survival. Feed them mashed peas and other green vegetables until they’re ready to join the adults in your main tank.
Are Albino Bristlenose Plecos Rare?
Albino bristlenose plecos are on the rarer side. As mentioned earlier, their lack of pigmentation makes them a target. The fish stand out in the natural blackwater environments of the Amazon.
However, it’s not just the albinos that are rare. These fish can be hard to find in general. They have many natural predators in the wild, making them pretty scarce.
Fortunately, breeders are helping to improve numbers in captivity. Finding them in pet stores can still be tricky, so consider yourself lucky if you find them!
Closing Thoughts
Albino bristlenose pleco care is quite simple and can be handled by pretty much anyone. That’s just one of the reasons why this species is so appealing!
If you have questions about these fish that we didn’t cover in the care guide above, send us a message. We’ll gladly help you out.
