[2] The name ancistrus derives from the Ancient Greek agkistron "hook" – a reference to the form of the cheek odontodes.

[3] Tentacules, tentacles directly associated with odontodes, develop on the pectoral fin spine of the males of some species.

Ancistrus species are unusual among vertebrates in possessing an X0 sex-determination system, which is the prevailing method in many lineages of arthropod but is very rare elsewhere in the animal kingdom.

[4] Ancistrus is one of the widest ranging Loricariid genera, and representatives are found in most areas where the family in general is present.

[6][7] These are the only known loricariids that possess adaptions for a subterranean lifestyle, such as reduced pigmentation (appearing overall whitish) and eyes.

Bristlenoses do not school but hide when not feeding, juveniles however are typically found in brightly lit shallows at the water margin making them susceptible to predation by birds.

Males may clean the inside of the cavity with their suckermouth before allowing the female to approach and inspect the nest.

Courtship includes expanding the dorsal and caudal fins and attempts by the male to escort the female to the nest.

[3] The fry remain in the cave, attaching to the walls and ceiling with their mouths, absorbing their yolk sac in 2–4 days and becoming free swimming.

Males display to each other by positioning themselves parallel to each other, head to tail, with dorsal and caudal fins erect and cheek odontode spines everted.

[2] These fish are often kept by aquarists, as they are dutiful algae-eaters and smaller in adult size than the common plecos usually seen in pet shops.

Feeding is easy, bristlenoses will graze on algae/ algae wafers and other surface growing organisms as well as eating algae wafers or tablets, flake food, squash, spinach, cucumber, zucchini, green beans peas and even sliced carrots.

Sexing is very easy as the female will only occasionally have bristles, around the edge of the chin, whereas the male will have them up the center of the head.