The hognose pleco (Brochis splendens) is a popular freshwater fish that is well known for its unique “hognose” snout.
This species is a peaceful bottom dweller that does well in most community tanks. They are hardy and relatively easy to care for, making them a good choice for beginner aquarists.
In this guide, we will go over everything you need to know about hognose pleco care.Tank size, diet, tank mates, lifespan, and more.
Table of contents
Species overview
Hognosed brochis (scientific name: Brochis splendens) are a type of catfish that’s found in South America, specifically in Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil.
They prefer slow-moving waters with a lot of vegetation and hiding places. This is something that’s common among many bottom-dwelling fish, and it’s something you’ll want to replicate in their tank.
Hognosed brochis are omnivores, so they’ll eat both plants and meat. In the wild, they’ll primarily eat small invertebrates, but they’ll also consume algae and other plant matter.
The main thing that sets hognosed brochis apart from other catfish is their long, distinctive snout. This is what gives them their common name, and it’s something that many people find quite appealing.
Appearance
The Hognosed brochis is an eel-like fish that can grow to be around 2 feet in length. These fish are brown or olive green in color with a dark horizontal stripe that runs along their body.
This stripe is actually made up of a series of smaller stripes that are each outlined in black.
The ventral side of the Hognosed brochis is a lighter color than the dorsal side. This fish also has a large head with a protruding lower jaw.
The Hognosed brochis has a long, slender body that is covered in small scales. The fins on this fish are also small and relatively streamlined.
The dorsal fin is located towards the back of the body and is slightly taller than the anal fin. The caudal fin is forked and extends past the end of the body.
Lifespan
The average lifespan for hognosed brochis is around 5 years. This is actually quite long for a fish that only reaches a maximum size of around 4 inches.
As with most fish, there are a number of factors that can impact the lifespan of hognosed brochis. Poor water quality, for instance, can be deadly for these fish.
They’re also quite sensitive to stress. So, if they’re constantly being harassed by tank mates or if the water parameters in their tank are constantly fluctuating, their lifespan will be shortened.
Size
Hognosed brochis can grow up to 3.9 inches (10 cm) long.
Tank
Tank Size
The recommended tank size for hognosed brochis is at least 20 gallons. This is assuming you’re keeping them in a school of at least 5 or 6 fish (which you should).
We personally recommend a slightly larger tank if you can accommodate it. Every extra space will make a big difference and allow you to keep a larger school or more tank mates if you’re interested in a community tank.
Water Parameters
The hognosed brochis is a freshwater fish that is considered to be very easy to care for. They are a peaceful fish that does well in most community tanks.
Hognosed brochis are a tropical fish, so they prefer warmer water. The water should also be well-oxygenated and have a moderate flow.
Here are some basic water parameters to help create a healthy environment for hognosed brochis.
- Water temperature: 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- pH levels: 6.5 to 7.5
- Water hardness: 2 to 12 dGH
- Alkalinity Levels: 4-8 dKH
What To Put In Their Tank
When it comes to setting up the inside of an aquarium for hognosed brochis you can be as creative as you want. There aren’t any specific things that this species NEEDS to have, which gives you plenty of options.
We recommend some of the standard decorations that you find in a lot of freshwater tanks. There are a ton of great plants you can include (like hornwort or water wisteria). You can even throw in some floating aquarium plants too!
Rocks, driftwood, and caves are all suitable as well. It’s important to avoid going overboard with this since these fish like some room to swim.
Also, if you’re keeping your hognosed brochis in a smaller tank then it’s going to be difficult to include a lot of this stuff anyway.
A classic gravel substrate is always a good choice, but you can do with something soft and sandy if needed too (use other species you keep as a guide with this).
Common Diseases
Hognosed brochis are a pretty hardy fish, but they’re not immune to disease. The most common illness that these fish experience is ich.
Ich is a very common parasite that can become quite serious if it’s not dealt with. The most obvious sign of this disease is the series of white spots that will begin to cover the body of your fish.
There are plenty of other potential diseases that can affect this species as well, but they’re not as common.
Another thing to look out for is infection from cuts. The most common cause of this is keeping your hognosed brochis in a tank with a rough substrate (or aggressive species that want to fight).
In general, the best way to prevent these fish from getting sick is to maintain the quality of the water in their tank. A tank with clean and stable water conditions always leads to healthier fish who are more resistant to disease.
Behavior & Temperament
Hognosed brochis are peaceful community fish that do well with other fish of a similar size. They are not known to be aggressive, but they may nip at long-finned fish such as bettas.
These fish are relatively active and love to swim. They will explore every inch of their territory, but they are most often seen near the bottom of the tank.
Hognosed brochis are social creatures that do best in groups. If you keep them in pairs or small groups, they will be much more active and seem happier overall.
These fish are not known to be shy, but they may hide if they feel threatened. They should have plenty of hiding places in their tank, such as caves, plants, and driftwood.
Tank Mates
Hognosed brochis are peaceful fish that make great additions to community tanks. They’re not overly large, so they can be kept with smaller fish species.
They’re also not particularly aggressive, so they won’t bother their tank mates. In fact, they tend to stick to themselves most of the time.
Hognosed brochis are bottom-dwellers, so they’re often found near the substrate. As a result, you can add fish that occupy other parts of the water column.
Here are some possible hognosed brochis tank mates:
- Tetras
- Guppies
- Mollies
- Platies
- Swordtails
- Neon Tetras
- Endler’s Livebearers
- Corydoras Catfish
Breeding
Hognosed brochis are a bit difficult to breed in captivity. They’re a species that’s not often seen in the aquarium trade.
The first step is to sex the fish. Males and females have different colors and patterns. Males are typically more brightly colored. They also have longer fins.
Once you’ve sexed the fish, you’ll need to set up a breeding tank. It should hold at least 20 gallons of water. The water temperature should be around 72 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll also need to adjust the pH to 6.8.
The next step is to add some plants to the tank. Hognosed brochis like to lay their eggs on plant leaves. Java moss is a good option. You can also use an artificial leaf if you can’t find live plants.
When everything is set up, add a group of six fish to the tank. Two males and four females is a good ratio. The fish will start to pair off and mate.
The female will lay her eggs on the leaves of the plants. The male will then fertilize them. Once that’s done, he’ll stay with the eggs to protect them.
Hatching usually happens in about a week. The fry will be very small, so you’ll need to feed them live food. Baby brine shrimp is a good option. You can also use microworms or finely-ground flake food.
Conclusion
The hognosed brochis is an excellent addition to any freshwater aquarium. They are peaceful, hardy, and relatively easy to care for. They will add a unique look to your tank with their long, slender bodies and upturned mouths.
These fish are a great option for beginner aquarists or those who want a low-maintenance fish. They are also a good choice for community tanks.
Overall, we think the hognosed brochis is a great fish and we highly recommend them!
