Snow White Short Fin Bristlenose Pleco Pair

The Snow White Short Fin Bristlenose Pleco is a rare and stunning algae-eater, perfect for keeping your tank clean. With its beautiful pale white color and compact size (up to 5 inches), this peaceful fish thrives in community aquariums. Easy to care for, it enjoys algae, vegetables, and occasional protein. Ideal for beginners and experienced aquarists alike!

🐟 Snow White Bristlenose Pleco Pair – Care Overview                                                        ✅ Ideal Pair Setup
Requirement    Recommendation
Tank Size    30 gallons minimum (for a breeding pair)
Filtration    Strong and stable—sponge filter recommended for fry safety
Water Flow  Gentle to moderate—mimics slow-moving rivers                                  Lighting    Low to moderate—helps reduce stress
Hiding Spots    Multiple caves or tubes (at least 1 per pleco, plus extras)

🧬 Sexing Your Pair
Trait    Male    Female
Bristles    Prominent, bushy bristles on head and snout    Few to no bristles, mostly near lip if present
Size    Slightly larger    Slightly smaller
Behavior    More territorial, guards caves    Less aggressive

Tip: Wait until ~6 months of age to reliably sex them.

🍽️ Diet for Conditioning (Pre-Breeding)
Feed a rich, varied diet to encourage breeding:

Staples: Algae wafers, spirulina pellets

Veggies: Blanched zucchini, spinach, cucumber

Protein (2–3x/week): Bloodworms, brine shrimp, shrimp pellets

Calcium: Cuttlebone or mineral supplements to support egg production

🐣 Breeding Behavior
Spawning Site: Males will claim a cave and try to lure females inside.

Egg Laying: Female lays 20–100+ adhesive eggs on the cave wall.

Male’s Role: Guards eggs, fans them for oxygen, cleans fungus.

Hatching Time: 4–10 days depending on temperature (~78°F ideal).

Fry Care: On:  free-swimming, they’ll eat algae and soft vegetables.

👶 Raising Fry
Requirement    Details
Food    Crushed algae wafers, powdered spirulina, blanched veggies
Water Changes    Small, frequent (20–30% daily or every other day)
Filtration    Use a sponge filter to avoid sucking up fry
Growth Time    ~1.5 inches in 2–3 months under good conditions

⚠️ Tips for Success
Use stable, soft to moderate hardness water (GH 4–12, KH 2–6).

Keep nitrates under 20 ppm—young bristlenose are sensitive.

Avoid aggressive tankmates, especially during breeding.

Always provide more than one cave, or the male may fight or stress the female.

Would you like help with:

Designing a tank layout for breeding?

Choosing the right caves or food?

Tracking growth stages?

Let me know—happy to help!

Please know all pictures are of the actual fish in stock. Measurements are taken from the end of the nose to the beginning of the tail