Care
The Starlight Bristlenose Plec is known from the Amazon, Essequibo, and Paraguay River basins. Provide a mature aquarium with plenty of shady hiding places amongst tangles of bogwood, rocky caves, PVC pipes, bamboo tubes, and robust planting. Filtration should be efficient with areas of brisk water movement along with some quieter resting spots out of the current. There should be a decent level of oxygenation, and small frequent partial water changes will help keep nitrate to a minimum. The Starlight Bristlenose Plec is generally peaceful, but it will show some territorial aggression towards its own kind if not given enough space. In most instances though, they can be maintained in small groups and with other Loricariids as long as there is adequate room and enough hiding places to go round. Tankmates could include any small-medium sized peaceful fish that enjoy warm, fast-flowing water.
Feeding
Starlight Bristlenose are primarily vegetarian, and although algae is an important part of their food supply, this MUST be supplemented with other foods. Algae wafers and tablets are ideal, with the occasional addition of some vegetable matter such as cucumber, lettuce, or peeled steamed peas. Other, meatier sinking and frozen foods will be taken, but it is important to ensure that these fish receive a diet that is mainly vegetable based. As mentioned above, do make certain to include some bogwood in the aquarium.
Breeding
This species is a secretive cave spawner, and has been bred in the home aquarium. A clutch of large gold coloured eggs will be laid/fertilised in a small cave or crevice. The male tirelessly guards the eggs and keeps a good amount of oxygen flowing over them by continually fanning with his pectoral fins. After approximately 4-7 days, the eggs will hatch into wrigglers and they will attach themselves to the decor and tank walls. The yolk sacs are absorbed over a 10 day period, after which time they will become free-swimming. Given the right conditions, it is not unknown for compatible pairs to spawn every 6 weeks.
