1+ inch Chocolate Bristlenose Plecos Shortfin Unsexed Pack of 6

Welcome to Phil's Gills! We strive to breed the best and healthiest fish for your freshwater aquariums. Thank you for looking and happy fish keeping!

You are purchasing 1 - 6 pack of unsexed Chocolate Shortfin Bristlenose Plecos at approximately 1+ inch. These fish were born and raised in my fish room. They are on a varied diet of high-quality algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and protein foods and have been growing well. These fish will ship in a flat rate box for 2 to 3 day shipping depending on your location. Please note that occasionally flat rate can take 4 days, but this is not common and is out of our control.

Shipping: Packages will always ship on Monday or Tuesday. We do this to ensure your fish arrive safely in case of any issue with the post office. Please see the listing to confirm the shipping method for your order.

We do not ship to Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, or Puerto Rico.

DOA Policy: In the unfortunate event of a DOA — while a rare occurrence — please take a photo of the fish in an unopened bag within 2 hours of receiving your shipment. If the fish is deemed DOA, we will always refund the cost of the fish or offer you the same value toward another fish. Shipping costs cannot be refunded. If the bags have been opened, the DOA policy is voided. We double bag everything we send. If you have any questions about fish care, please ask before purchasing. Once the fish enter your tank, we are not responsible for uncycled tanks or improper animal care.

General Information — Chocolate Shortfin Bristlenose Pleco

The Chocolate Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.) is a rich, deeply colored variant of the ever-popular Bristlenose Pleco. With its warm brown-to-dark chocolate body tones and classic shortfin profile, this is a hardy, practical, and attractive addition to any freshwater aquarium.

1. Appearance: This variant displays deep brown to chocolate coloration across the body, often with subtle lighter spotting that adds depth to its appearance. At 1 inch, these are young juveniles — small but hardy and already eating well. Males will develop the signature bristle appendages on their snout as they mature, while females typically have fewer or none.
2. Tank Setup: Bristlenose Plecos do well in aquariums of 20 gallons or more. They love having hiding spots such as caves, driftwood, and PVC tubes. Driftwood is especially beneficial as they enjoy grazing on it and it aids in their digestion.
3. Water Conditions: They prefer a pH of 6.5–7.5 and a temperature between 72°F–80°F (22°C–27°C). Good filtration and regular water changes are important, as plecos can be heavy waste producers.
4. Diet: Bristlenose Plecos are primarily herbivores and excellent algae eaters. Supplement their diet with algae wafers, blanched zucchini, cucumber, spinach, and occasional protein-based foods such as bloodworms or brine shrimp.
5. Compatibility: These plecos are peaceful and make great tankmates for a wide variety of community fish. They are generally non-aggressive and spend most of their time on the glass, substrate, or driftwood.
6. Breeding: Bristlenose Plecos are one of the easier plecos to breed in captivity. They are cave spawners — the male will guard and fan the eggs until they hatch. If you plan to breed, purchasing a confirmed pair at a later time is recommended.
7. Algae Control: Like all Bristlenose Plecos, the Chocolate variant is an excellent natural algae controller, making it as functional as it is beautiful.