Home · Loricariidae · Bluechin bristlenose
Bluechin bristlenose (Ancistrus dolichopterus) — Loricariidae

Bluechin bristlenose

Ancistrus dolichopterus
Family: Loricariidae

The Bluechin bristlenose (Ancistrus dolichopterus) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
14.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bluechin bristlenose is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of South America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated body and a broad sucker mouth; adult males bear branched, fleshy skin tentacles on the snout. It comes from the Rio Negro area in the Amazon basin and has a velvety-black body with white-edged fins and small pale dots. With its mouth it rasps algae, growth and wood. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluechin bristlenose?

The Bluechin bristlenose has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Bluechin bristlenose live?

The Bluechin bristlenose lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bluechin bristlenose get?

The Bluechin bristlenose grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Bluechin bristlenose dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluechin bristlenose is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwkop-borstelmeerval sourced
English name
Bluechin bristlenose sourced
Scientific name
Ancistrus dolichopterus
Family
Loricariidae
Other names
Bushymouth catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ancistrus

More from the family Loricariidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →