Bristlenose and Plants?

darkelf1600

AC Members
Aug 20, 2006
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Newfoundland
hey, I was just wondering, do Bristlenose Plecos eat plants?
In other words, if I put one in a planted tank am I basically just giving it a really big dinner?

I know common plecos eat plants (so I've been told anyway), but I don't know if all do. Are there species that don't?
 
to my knowledge, BN plecos do not eat plants. they do a very good job of algae though. how big is the tank and how long has it been established?
 
icecubez189 said:
to my knowledge, BN plecos do not eat plants. they do a very good job of algae though. how big is the tank and how long has it been established?


Oh, I don't actually have the tank yet. I'm planning on getting a 29 gallon and I was just planning the residents. And don't worry, the tank will be established long before I get my little bristlenose. I have a ten gallon right now but I'm thinking that that would not be big enough (It isn't right?).

I saw some small very light coloured B.N.P.'s at my LPS and thought they were so cute.

I was really hoping that I could get a B.N.P. and I also want my new tank to be planted. I'm glad I can have both. Thanks for the reply!
 
BN plecos do fine in 10g tanks, I have one in mine. you can have one in a 10g tank as long as you don't have too much in there already.
 
fishcatch22 said:
BN plecos do fine in 10g tanks, I have one in mine. you can have one in a 10g tank as long as you don't have too much in there already.

Where did you get your BN pleco? I can't seem to find one at my LFS's. Whats more, many don't even know what that is. ;)
 
well, you should just keep looking... I live in alaska, and I found one on my first try. now you live in the most heavily populated part of the most heavily populated state, and you have yet to find one? c'mon... you're not trying hard enough... keep looking! :)
 
In my opinion, a 10 gallon is a bit small for an adult bristlenose.

darkelf, just make sure to give it a steady diet of algae wafers, veggies, and some driftwood to chew on. I usually feed cucumber or zuchini but I recently tried some squash too. Don't rely on it to live happily on scraps that make it to the bottom, they can be slow getting to food and flakes/pellets don't usually last long in community tanks. Feeding at night or just before lights out doesn't hurt either.
 
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