Ancistrus in hardwater

[Narwhal]

There a tons of Ancistrus species out their and some are just beautiful. Bristlenose plecos are used pretty heavily with Rift Valley Cichlids, I myself have a few. Mine where just under Bristlenose pleco (well 2 I bought where sold as Ancistrus temminckii from https://www.livefishdirect.com/store.php?fid=302) Any way I have seen pictures of some truly spectacular BNP's especially the starlights, Planet Catfish said they do well in far softer water than I have, and I was wondering how they fare in the hard water that my more general species do well in.

 

[monkeybike]

I have 2 bristle nose that I've raised from babies that full grown now. My pH is 7.8 and water is pretty hard, high kH. They are doing great along with two L191, a L190, L185, L14, L114 and an L007. I think the important thing is to not have fluctuations in chemistry.

 

[Narwhal]

Yeah, consistency is key, although some fish don't do as well in hardwater. The pleco I was interested in getting was the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco, L182. How would they do in a ph 7.8 tank?

 

[monkeybike]

Mine are longfin, not sure what L# but they have done great.

 

[JK47]

Yeah, consistency is key, although some fish don't do as well in hardwater. The pleco I was interested in getting was the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco, L182. How would they do in a ph 7.8 tank?

You'll be fine. Again consistency is key not the pH. I've bred many BN plecos in harder water than that

 

[Wiggie]

Awesome. I just picked up a White Seam and I love him. He's got some growing out to do. I do want to make sure I keep things consistent as my tap water is 8.2, tank water is 7.8 and I do small weekly water changes. Testing often helps me out, plus routine routine routine. Bad pic but he's so little it's the only one I could get!