Description

🐟 Honeycomb Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp. L519)

Meet the Honeycomb Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp. L519), a beautiful and peaceful addition to your freshwater community tank. Known for its intricate honeycomb-like patterning and compact size, this pleco is both visually striking and highly functional as a natural algae cleaner. Native to South American rivers, the L519 is a hardy species that thrives in well-maintained aquariums and is suitable for beginners and experienced aquarists alike.

Its distinctive bristles, especially prominent in males, and unique patterned body make it a standout in planted aquascapes, while its calm and reclusive nature ensures it won’t disturb other tank inhabitants. This pleco is perfect for nano tanks, mid-sized aquariums, or as a complement to larger community setups.

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✨ Why You’ll Love It

• 🐚 Distinctive Honeycomb Patterning – Eye-catching black-and-white markings add elegance to any freshwater aquascape.

• 🍃 Natural Algae Cleaner – Actively grazes on algae, helping maintain tank cleanliness while showcasing natural behavior.

• 🪴 Compact & Peaceful – Ideal for community tanks and planted setups without territorial aggression.

• 🧬 Hardy & Adaptable – Thrives in a variety of water parameters, making it suitable for both beginner and advanced hobbyists.

• 🌿 Aquascape-Friendly – Perfect for midground or bottom-dwelling placement, complementing plants, driftwood, and stonework.

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💡 Care & Placement

Temperature: 22–28 °C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water

Diet: Omnivorous; accepts algae wafers, fresh vegetables, and occasional protein-based foods. Regular feeding of blanched zucchini, cucumber, or spinach ensures healthy growth and vibrant coloration.

Tank Size: Recommended minimum 60 L (15 gal) for a single specimen; larger tanks allow multiple individuals and better territorial distribution.

Behavior & Habitat: Nocturnal and generally peaceful, the Honeycomb Bristlenose prefers hiding spots such as caves, driftwood, and dense vegetation. Males develop more prominent bristles, which may be used to display dominance or attract females during breeding.

Breeding: Cave spawner; males guard eggs until they hatch, making them ideal for aquarists interested in observing natural behaviors.

🪴 Tip: Include driftwood in the tank for grazing and shelter; this also contributes to natural tannins that support coloration and health.

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🌊 Aquascaping Inspiration

The Honeycomb Bristlenose Pleco is perfect for Nature-style or Dutch aquascapes, where its patterned body contrasts beautifully with vibrant greens and reds. Place it near driftwood or rocks to create natural focal points, allowing it to graze and explore without disturbing delicate plants.

It also pairs well with mid-sized schooling fish, shrimps, and peaceful cichlids. Its bottom-dwelling behavior keeps the substrate active and helps maintain a balanced ecosystem, while its subtle patterns complement a wide variety of hardscape designs.

For planted tanks, this pleco adds life and movement to the lower regions, making every corner of your aquascape dynamic and engaging.

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🌱 Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Ancistrus sp. L519

• Common Name: Honeycomb Bristlenose Pleco

• Origin: South America

• Size: Up to 12 cm (4.7 in)

• Temperature Range: 22–28 °C

• pH Range: 6.0–7.5

• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

• Diet: Omnivorous (algae, vegetables, protein foods)

• Behavior: Peaceful, nocturnal, bottom-dwelling

• Tank Size: 60 L+ (minimum)

• Breeding: Cave spawner, male guards eggs

• Difficulty Level: Beginner–Intermediate

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Add the Honeycomb Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp. L519) to your freshwater aquarium today and enjoy a hardy, peaceful algae-eater that combines stunning patterns with functional tank maintenance. Watch your aquascape come alive as this charming pleco explores, grazes, and enhances every corner of your tank!

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