{"product_id":"l183-starlight-pleco-ancistrus-dolichopterus","title":"L183 Starlight Pleco - Ancistrus Dolichopterus","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eL183 Starlight Bristlenose Pleco | A Stunning Blackwater Pleco From the Amazon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe L183 Starlight Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus dolichopterus) is one of the most visually striking and sought-after plecos in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Native to the tannin-stained blackwater rivers of Brazil's Amazon Basin — most notably the Rio Negro drainage — this exceptional fish is instantly recognisable by its deep, dark body covered in a constellation of bright white spots, with a bold white seam running along the edges of its dorsal and caudal fins that gives it that unmistakable starlight appearance. Under good aquarium lighting, it is genuinely breathtaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eMales develop the characteristic bristlenose tentacles on their snout and head as they mature, while females have fewer and smaller bristles sitting closer to the lip line. Beyond their looks, L183s are hardworking members of any aquarium — constantly grazing algae and biofilm from driftwood, rocks, and glass throughout the night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eL183 Starlight Bristlenose Pleco Care Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare at a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eScientific name: Ancistrus dolichopterus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAlso known as: L183, Starlight Bristlenose Pleco, Starlight Ancistrus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAdult size: up to 4.7 inches (12 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMinimum tank size: 20 gallons (75 litres) — longer tanks preferred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTemperature: 79–86°F (26–30°C)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003epH: 5.0–7.0 — soft, acidic blackwater conditions strongly preferred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eHardness: 1–10 dGH — low hardness essential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eHigh oxygenation required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLifespan: up to 14 years with good care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eL183 Starlight Pleco Tank Setup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eA blackwater-inspired setup is ideal for this species and will bring out the very best in their appearance and behaviour. Dark sand substrate, tangled driftwood, leaf litter, and soft diffused lighting replicates the Rio Negro habitat beautifully — and the contrast of their white spots and fin seams against a dark, tannin-stained setup is truly spectacular. Driftwood is not optional for this species — it provides essential grazing surfaces, structure, and security, and L183s will rasp at wood constantly as part of their natural feeding behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eProvide multiple caves and tight hiding spots — clay caves, PVC pipes, and hollow driftwood all work well. Good water flow and high oxygenation are essential, as these fish come from well-oxygenated rivers. Strong, efficient filtration and regular small water changes to keep nitrates low are key to keeping their white spots and fin seams vibrant and crisp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding Your L183 Starlight Pleco\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003ePrimarily herbivorous grazers. In a well-established tank with driftwood and healthy biofilm and algae growth, they will do much of their own foraging naturally. Supplement with high quality sinking algae wafers, blanched vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber, and spinach, and occasional protein-rich treats such as bloodworm and brine shrimp. Feed after lights out for best results as these are predominantly nocturnal fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding L183 Starlight Bristlenose Plecos\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eCave spawners like all Ancistrus species. The male selects and guards a tight cave or tube as a spawning site, and the female deposits eggs inside which the male then tends exclusively until they hatch. Slightly elevated temperatures and cool partial water changes are reliable breeding triggers. Fry are robust and relatively easy to raise on algae wafers and blanched vegetables.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eL183 Starlight Pleco Tank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003ePeaceful community fish of all sizes — tetras, rasboras, danios, and livebearers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eDwarf cichlids such as Apistogramma and Rams\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eCorydoras and other small, peaceful catfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eShrimp and snails — generally safe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eUse caution when housing with other bottom-dwelling plecos, as males can be territorial with one another\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAvoid large, aggressive cichlids that may bully or harass them\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Poseidon Aquatics And Plants","offers":[{"title":"1.5cm","offer_id":48456626700510,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0645\/4768\/4574\/files\/Photo_c76bf674-ca83-49a4-aa92-26174c534b16.png?v=1741201181","url":"https:\/\/poseidonaquaticsandplants.com\/products\/l183-starlight-pleco-ancistrus-dolichopterus","provider":"Poseidon Aquatics And Plants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}