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Super Red Shortfin Bristlenose Plecos (parents are longfin) are a peaceful, hardy, and highly desirable pleco variety known for their bright orange-red coloration, and excellent algae-grazing behavior. They are especially useful for helping keep aquarium glass, driftwood, rocks, and decorations cleaner by constantly grazing on soft algae and biofilm. Their bold color, unique body shape, and cleaning behavior make them stand out in planted tanks, community aquariums, and pleco breeding setups.
These fish are tank-bred in Texas, making them a stronger and better-acclimated option compared with many imported plecos. They are small, peaceful bottom-dwelling catfish that spend their time grazing on surfaces, exploring driftwood, and resting under caves or plants.
The fish currently available are juveniles around 1.25–2.0 inches. Adult Super Red Shortfin Bristlenose Plecos typically reach about 4–5 inches when fully grown.
Species Information
Common Name: Super Red Shortfin Bristlenose Pleco, Super Red Shortfin BN Pleco, Shortfin Bristlenose Pleco
Scientific Name: Commonly sold as Ancistrus sp. “Super Red Shortfin”
Adult Size: About 4–5 inches
Current Sale Size: Approximately 1.25–2.0 inches
Temperament: Peaceful
Care Level: Easy to moderate
Tank Level: Bottom-dweller
Diet: Omnivore with strong vegetable/algae-grazing needs
Lifespan: Often 5+ years with good care
Recommended Tank Setup
Super Red Shortfin Bristlenose Plecos do best in a mature aquarium with clean, stable water, driftwood, hiding places, and smooth surfaces to graze on. They are small, peaceful bottom-dwelling catfish that spend their time grazing on aquarium glass, driftwood, plants, rocks, and decorations. While they are excellent at helping control soft algae on glass.
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons recommended for one adult
Group Size: Can be kept singly, as pairs, or in breeding groups with enough space and caves
Temperature: 72–80°F
pH: 6.5–7.8
Substrate: Sand or smooth gravel preferred
Tankmates: Peaceful community fish such as tetras, rasboras, guppies, endlers, corydoras, snails, shrimp, and other calm community fish
Driftwood is strongly recommended because Bristlenose Plecos naturally graze on wood and biofilm. Provide caves, plants, or shaded areas so they feel secure.
Feeding
Bristlenose Plecos are helpful algae grazers, but they should still be fed directly. They enjoy a varied diet of:
Algae wafers, sinking vegetable pellets, blanched zucchini, cucumber, green beans, spinach, Repashy, driftwood biofilm, occasional frozen bloodworms, and high-quality sinking foods.
They will graze on algae and leftover food, but they still need regular feeding to stay healthy. A vegetable-based diet is important for good growth, color, and digestion.
Why Choose These Plecos?
These Super Red Shortfin Bristlenose Plecos are:
Tank-bred in Texas
Peaceful and community-friendly
Great for planted tanks
Bright orange-red color
Excellent algae grazers for aquarium glass
Helpful for cleaning biofilm from wood, rocks, and decorations
Smaller than common plecos
Raised locally and acclimated to aquarium conditions
Important Notes
Bristlenose Plecos are excellent algae grazers, especially for soft algae on aquarium glass, but they are not a replacement for regular tank maintenance. They still need proper feeding, clean water, and occasional glass cleaning depending on the tank’s algae growth.
Live arrival guarantee. Please acclimate slowly and place them into a fully cycled aquarium.
