Bristlenose catfish inhabit the fast flowing freshwater rivers of the Amazon basin in South America.

They get their name from the tentacle like protrusions on their body. The bristles on the males are located on their head, while females have them on their snout.

They are bottom dwellers and nocturnal, hiding out in caves and the roots of plants during the day.

They are herbivores coming out at night to feed on algae.