Bristlenose Recommendations

[jlOisAhoTti]

Well I'm planning on breeding some longfin albino bristlenose but I'm not too certain of the recommendations. I have a pH of 6.5, RO+DI water, 73 or so temp, 20 gallon long, and I feed them both meats and vegies

 

[dwarfgourami]

SOunds fine, just make sure they have a cave or two to meet in- and good luck!

 

[jlOisAhoTti]

I've got two PVC pipes and a piece of driftwood.

 

[Mystix212]

Raise the temp to 79 and add a cave with only 1 entrance.
73 is too cold for BN pleco's. Its too cold for most fish.Feed cucumber/zuchini, alage wafers/sticks/ bloodworms/flakes.

cuccumber and zuchini is optional. So is flakes.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Raise the temp to 79 and add a cave with only 1 entrance.
73 is too cold for BN pleco's. Its too cold for most fish.Feed cucumber/zuchini, alage wafers/sticks/ bloodworms/flakes.

cuccumber and zuchini is optional. So is flakes.

Ah, missed the temperature, sorry, yes that could do with being raised. (Though I'd say too cold for most fish is a bit of an exaggeration: many of the common livebearers, some corys, danios, some barbs are fine with the slightly cooler temperature.)

I have never noticed a single entrance cave to be a sine qua non; my bristlies breed well in one of those clay amphoras with a hole in the middle. And they've also met under the driftwood.

The diet is a good point, should be primarily vegetarian though, not too dominated by the bloodworms.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Raise the temp to 79 and add a cave with only 1 entrance.
73 is too cold for BN pleco's. Its too cold for most fish.Feed cucumber/zuchini, alage wafers/sticks/ bloodworms/flakes.

cuccumber and zuchini is optional. So is flakes.

Ah, missed the temperature, sorry, yes that could do with being raised. (Though I'd say too cold for most fish is a bit of an exaggeration: many of the common livebearers, some corys, danios, some barbs are fine with the slightly cooler temperature.)

I have never noticed a single entrance cave to be a sine qua non; my bristlies breed well in one of those clay amphoras with a hole in the middle. And they've also met under the driftwood.

The diet is a good point, should be primarily vegetarian though, not too dominated by the bloodworms.

 

[Mystix212]

Oh no way should they survive on bloodworms, they just act as extra protien and something to boost thier hormones. Worms make any fish in the mood. Sorta

 

[jlOisAhoTti]

I use some kind of seaweed that is made for plecos and it has a lot of protein in it. You guys don't believe that they would breed in 2"x6" PVC?

 

[Mystix212]

A 2" by 6" peice of pvc is good, although try and get a peice te same size and put a lid or something over one end. Acts as a single entrance cave, sometime sthey prefer 2 opening or 1. Give them multiple options.

As for cold temps, those fish only only SOME fish. Those fish can live in the 73's but live better in the 75-80's. With all breedings of most tropical temp fish higher temps make them grow faster and the fry will grow faster aswell.

Ich also becomes a problem at colder temps.

 

[dwarfgourami]

As for cold temps, those fish only only SOME fish. Those fish can live in the 73's but live better in the 75-80's. With all breedings of most tropical temp fish higher temps make them grow faster and the fry will grow faster aswell.

Yes, totally agree, though would like to point out that with the fish I mentioned as needing cooler temperatures, keeping them hot to make them grow faster does also burn them out more quickly. Still, that's not relevant here as bristlenoses come from the warmth of South America, so they do indeed like a spot of warmth.

 

[Mystix212]

100% spot on. I prefer warm water because when you rearange stuff in the tank if the waters feezing it gives me goose bumps but in my warm water tanks I feel like swimming in it. Pity its only a 20G.

 

[littleme1969]

Agree wit the above. temp between 78 - 80 seems best for good breeding. Lots of veggies too! and algae plec waffers/catfish pellets to make sure they get a good mixed diet. I would also say clean water with good flow. Mine seem to breed best where there is a good current. This also helps with the eggs as it gives dad a hand reducing the risk of loosing eggs to fungus etc. Caves seem to be better in Slate or terracotta Ive have good sucess with both. But they have also bred under a large piece of bogwood that was hollowed out. Make sure you have some type of bogwood in there for them o chew on. Live plats also if you can. This just helps with the overall balance in the tank.

 

[dane261]

ihave a few bits of bog wood sorted the ones that could also act as caves have a few plant pots a cave that is used for reptiles but looks nice in a fish tank and loads of plants (plastic) as i want to research keeping live before i buyand feed algae wafers nightly and courgette twice a week as a treat

 

[Mystix212]

Live plants clean the water, particually Elodea/Anachris, same plant just different names. Java fern its great because it attaches to rocks and wood. Looks awesome.

Perfect conditons as Littleme described.