Bristlenose Eating Plants?

[lukestanislaus]

My tank is reasonably new so minimal algae on the rocks etc, mabe some slight algae on the wood

My tank is quite heavily planted and the 3 new bristlenoses seem to be climbing through the plants even towards the top of the tank, they are only small (under 1 inch)
i put some cucumber into the tank but no one touched it, i might try some lettuce

Also how fast are the bristlenoses going to grow?

thanks

 

[idlefingers]

i put some cucumber into the tank but no one touched it, i might try some lettuce

Also how fast are the bristlenoses going to grow?

How long have they been in the tank? My bristlenose didn't start eating cucumber until after about a week of settling into the tank. Don't know if this is the norm..

They grow very fast. Mine seems bigger every day!

 

[paul_219]

You must give them some time to get used to the tank, and the food ur feeding them.

 

[Orbit887]

My tank is reasonably new so minimal algae on the rocks etc, mabe some slight algae on the wood

My tank is quite heavily planted and the 3 new bristlenoses seem to be climbing through the plants even towards the top of the tank, they are only small (under 1 inch)
i put some cucumber into the tank but no one touched it, i might try some lettuce

Also how fast are the bristlenoses going to grow?

thanks

I'd say they're just cleaning stuff off the plants, my little BN does it occasionally, but prefers to eat food given to him from me!

Did you try cooking the cucumber at all before adding it to the tank? In the past i've not cooked it, and it's taken the BN at least half a day or so to get into it, as it's too hard. Now I just put it in the microwave for a few secs to soften it up and he's straight onto it, eating from the middle outwards! Also found it helps to feed it just before lights-out, so they get a chance to go for the food without other fish giving them competition for it.

As for growth, I've had my little BN for about 2months, and can definatley notice how much he's grown - was about 1inch or just under when i got him, now he's at least half as big again, if not bigger. The BN does do a lot of swimming, so maybe this is helping his muscle growth, and his appetite for food!

 

[Bloo]

Be careful. Some don't eat plants - others do - despite a vegetable diet & algae wafers. This is what mine did within about 10 minutes flat
So they got rehomed.

 

[LisaLQ]

Yep, avoid swords and you might be ok - bristlenoses are known to be partial to an amazon sword or two Mine did the same as Bloo's!

 

[DiscusAngel]

i have 2 Bn's an 3 Swords.. mine love leaning the algea of the odd leafs but nothing eaten! lol mine are about wre about 1.5" now ones 1.75" and the other about 2.25"

 

[LisaLQ]

Might be an adult thing then, as mine's 4-5"

 

[lukestanislaus]

They've been in there for just under a week, and thanks for the idea about cooking the cumcumber ill try that

 

[DiscusAngel]

i hope they dont eat my plants :'( my discus wont b v impresed!

 

[typhoon]

my plecs have grown amazangly fast i cant believe it i got then under an inch but then all of a sudden you look and like wow they are now at least 3 inches ( in my cichlid tank )