Longfin Chocolate Bristlenose

Chocolate Bristlenose Plecos most closely resemble their wild counterparts and are considered the classic variety of the species. Their bodies are brown with tan spots, and their coloration can shift depending on mood and age. Some individuals may also display white tips on the edges of their fins.
Bushynose—or Bristlenose—Plecos belong to the genus Ancistrus, though their exact species remains uncertain. The common varieties found in the hobby today are believed to be line-bred from A. cirrhosus, with possible hybridization from other Ancistrus species over time. Their name comes from the distinctive, whisker-like tentacles that develop on the faces of males. The larger the “beard,” as it’s often called, the more dominant the male tends to be. Females may also grow small bristles along the edges of their snouts, making it difficult to distinguish them from young males.
Because their tentacles can attract attention from fin-nipping or aggressive fish—and since Bushynose Plecos lack the heavy armor of other pleco species—they should not be housed with such tankmates. Additionally, their fin spines can pose a risk to predators attempting to swallow them, as the pleco will flare its fins defensively, sometimes leading to fatal choking incidents for both fish.