Bristlenose Questions - New Owner!

[marcybeth0281]

Hey guys - I have a few questions as I am a fairly new bristlenose plec owner!

I recently got 2 BN plecs shipped to me. They are about 2 1/2 inches long - any idea how old they would be (approximately)? When will they start showing bristle growth on their noses? - or have they already and I happen to have 2 females...

Also....I have the regular brown variety and one of them is very very dark (almost black) with pronounced white dots. The other is more of a marbled look - dots are not so pronounced and he is more of a brownish/tan color. Is that normal? I'm just wondering if he/she is sickly....lol.

Another side note - have you noticed that they are lighter in color when you first turn the lights on? Mine are always palter when the light is off and then darken up as they adjust to the light. It's so cool!

 

[snowflake311]

They change color with mood like many fish. They will get these light batches on them when stressed or startled.

I got my BN when she was 2 inches in oct 08 she is now a little over 3 inches and no bristle still so its a girl. I just got another BN albino who is 2" and has bristles only on the end of his mouth. I will have to wait to see if he or she gets more.

males will have bristles in the middle of the face and big ones. Females might never get any or will only get some right around the mouth only. If you don't see any bristles at all I would think they are girls. BUT they might grow.

I don't know how old they are my guess is a few months. Sorry no exact birthday.

common BNs come in different colors now because they are not all that hard to breed people have been playing with the genetics of them starting different colors and longer fins.



Congrats on your new fish. They are great and fun to watch. My female bristle is my second favourite fish of all times.
Enjoy and welcome to the club.

 

[rust81]

My guess is that they are at least 6 months old and i would expect to see the start of bristles in the next 2 months - if not you've probably got a pair of females