Got a spot of algae, originally was suppose to purchase some Amano shrimps but when my LFS received a new batch they looked too small to be introduced into my tank as I though the mouthbrooders would see them as food, also informed if no algae present the would start eating the plants. LFS suggested a baby Bristlenose and due to them being very small (an inch in size if that) would be idea as they would beable to clean up my plant leaves. Once in the tank I thought I was having double vision on inspection I saw him/her at one end of the tank but hold on how did he reach clear over to the other side of the tank. To my surprise I found out through error by LFS I have two. My research :read: has been some what limited but as far as I am aware catfish/Plec are unsocialbe when it come to mixing with there own kind. At what size do I have to think about rehousing one, considering their both juverniles will they grow to live with each other. At present there in a 20 gal long tank, and doing a wonderful job of eating all the algae in sight. I've also be reasured that a bristlenose will not grow any bigger that 4" is this correct?? made that mistake the first time around some years ago and brought a plec around the same size and though what a cute little thing(how niave was I) What I had aquired was a baby Common plec that inherited the name Monster after about 6 months as it grew to a 1ft in length making me purchase a 5" tank when it grew to just under 2ft I decided that it was time to find him a new home.
Hitchhiker another baby Bristlenose
- Thread starter humerjeep
- Start date
It depends on what type of bristlenose you have--there are many species called bristlenose, and some get up to 6 inches. But, they tend to be fairly social, the only problem will be if you have 2 males. Do you see any bristles on yours yet?
The bristlenose begin to grow whiskers at about 2 inches or so. I have two myself. What I have read is that if they are raised together they will tolerate each other as adults. So, you shouldn't have to worry about separating them. Mine happen to be a male and female. Got them at the same time, same age, very, very tiny. One is about 2 inches now and has been growing his bristles, the other is not getting any whiskers and is a bit smaller. I wouldn't worry about the compatibility thing. Mine stick to opposite sides of the tank, except when they are showing an interest in mating.humerjeep said:
Take care,
Mary.
Hi Mary thank you
I'll keep an eye out for any bristle growth, and then supply him with his first safety razor
hopefully I'll be luck like you and i've got one of each. Your pair are already showing signs that they want to mate, are there any reports that spawns have occured within an aquarium. At the moment my pair share the cleaning of one of my internal fiters and are quite contented to sit on the top and are showing no signs that the rest of the tank is of any intrest to them. Being at the size they are do they require any special feeding requirements? Do you know of any sites that will supply me with more info as my findings have been limited to the info provided.
I'll keep an eye out for any bristle growth, and then supply him with his first safety razor
hopefully I'll be luck like you and i've got one of each. Your pair are already showing signs that they want to mate, are there any reports that spawns have occured within an aquarium. At the moment my pair share the cleaning of one of my internal fiters and are quite contented to sit on the top and are showing no signs that the rest of the tank is of any intrest to them. Being at the size they are do they require any special feeding requirements? Do you know of any sites that will supply me with more info as my findings have been limited to the info provided.
humerjeep said:
Bristlenose are the convict of the pleco world. If you have a male, female, and a cave for them eventually you'll have fry.
I just recieved a bunch of older Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazines in the mail today. In the June 1975 issue there is an article on spawning Bristlenose in the home aquarium.
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Tai is correct. I put a flower pot into the aquarium recently because I got tired of watching these two try to carve out a "cave" big enough under the driftwood. It was absolutely pathetic!tai95 said:
We'll see if I get any babies... You may want to start giving them a slice of zucchini, or cucumber, or drop in an algae wafer at night. I didn't start supplementing the diet of mine until they were about an inch in size, then they started growing like crazy. I'm not sure if it was the addition of food, or if the growth spurt was coincidental. But I would say they are probably okay with the tank cleaning exclusively until they are about an inch in size.
Take care,
Mary.
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Just a quick post, sadly I lost one last night found the culprit thats doing all the killings I have a Male Nicols mouthbooder hes only about 2" long but doesn't like to see new imates come into his domain. Last night found one of the bristlenose dead. Last weekend I bought a shoal of 8 neon teras and by the following morning there was not one in sight not even any traces of their bodies. Last night I witness him in action, had to rehouse two female Agassizii back to the main tank due to a pair that are breeding in my 8 gal he had her like a rag doll shaking her back and forth. Gonna buy another bristlenose after I returned the bad guy back to the LFS
