Gold Dust Leticia Bushynose

Remarks: Gold dust Leticia bushynose are a mottled brown and black in color with their body and fins covered in fine gold spots that add an almost sparkling effect. While this Colombian native is an Ancistrus species that has yet to be described, it is not the same as the common bushynose most typically see within the hobby and are in fact much more uncommon. That being said, their care is the same albeit they are more picky with their water parameters. 

  The "bushynose" part of the gold dust Leticia bushynose's common name is derived from the long and elaborate tentacles that develop on the faces of males. The bigger the "beard" as some call it, the more dominant the male. Females will occasionally develop bristles as well along the edges of their face making it difficult to differentiate young males from females. These bristles and tentacles are tempting for nippy and aggressive fish so this combined with bushynose plecos not having much armor compared to other species is why they should not be housed with nippy or aggressive fish. While they are omnivores, they prefer to have a diet consisting mostly of vegetable matter and will voraciously feed on algae.