Lemon Blue Eye Bushynose Pleco

Bushynose Lemon Blue Eye Pleco

The lemon color body and deep blue eyes of the Lemon Blue Eye Pleco makes this a very personable pleco. He seems to be just a bit more aware than your average brown eye fish. Difficult to breed, these fish a a little more expensive than the albino variation. 

Reaching a manageable adult size of 4 to 5 inches, this dwarf suckermouth catfish is ideal for hobbyists who want the algae-eating benefits of a plecostomus without outgrowing standard home aquariums. Mature males develop a dense, bushy array of soft facial tentacles across their snout, giving them their iconic "bristlenose" look, while females remain sleek with few or no bristles. A single specimen thrives in a minimum aquarium size of 20 to 30 gallons, making it a versatile choice for small-to-medium community setups.

The Bushynose Lemon Blue Eye Pleco is a hard-working, peaceful bottom dweller that excels at grazing down micro-algae on glass, rocks, and aquarium decor. Its non-aggressive nature and bright yellow hue make it an absolute favorite centerpiece species for planted aquascapes.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This species is a dedicated Herbivore and Detritivore. Its daily diet should focus on high-quality spirulina wafers, algae disks, and sinking herbivore pellets, supplemented with fresh blanched greens like zucchini, cucumber, yellow squash, and spinach. Avoid heavy, protein-dense foods as they can lead to digestive complications or bloating.
• Wood Requirement: Providing natural driftwood in the aquarium is mandatory. Rasping on wood fiber provides essential roughage that aids in healthy gut digestion and provides a prime surface for biofilm growth.
• Reef / Plant Compatibility: It is Completely Plant Safe. Unlike larger pleco species that tear up aquascapes, the Lemon Blue Eye gently rasp algae off broad leaves and stems without causing damage to live plants.
• Temperament: It is Peaceful. It is completely indifferent to midwater and surface fish. Males may display mild territorial behavior over preferred breeding caves or feeding spots against other male Ancistrus, which can easily be managed by offering multiple caves and hideouts.
• Tankmates: Ideal tankmates include peaceful community fish such as Tetras, Rasboras, Corydoras, Danios, Guppies, Angelfish, Discus, and Dwarf Cichlids. They are also safe to keep alongside ornamental freshwater shrimp and snails.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Ancistrus sp. "Lemon Blue Eye"
• Primary Common Name: Bushynose Lemon Blue Eye Pleco
• Other Common Names: Lemon Blue Eye Bristlenose Pleco, L144a Pleco, Blue Eye Lemon Ancistrus
• Origin: Captive-bred line (Ancestral origin: South America)
• Max Size: 4-5 inches (10-13 cm)
• Temperament: Peaceful (Minor male territoriality over caves)
• Diet: Herbivore / Detritivore (Requires algae wafers, fresh greens, and driftwood)
• Minimum Tank Size: 20-30 Gallons
• Plant Compatibility: Completely Plant Safe