bristlenose(s)

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bumpybecky

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I've got a 12g tank set up, with 9 neons, some bogwood, live plants and gravel base. It's been running for months, but only recently (since Christmas) with that many neons. I know it's still cycling a bit (ammonia =0 but nitrite 0.2, nitrate 5-10ish) but when the nitrite is down to 0, I'd like to add a bristlenose or two.

My question is how many can I fit in the tank? I don't have another tank set up at the moment, so I need to know the tank will be enough space for it / them long term.

I've read that males can fight if in together (unless loads of space), but if you get them when little you can't sex them anyway! I know they can breed prolifically, and am a bit worried about what we'd do if we had babies! (what do you do with lots of baby fish?)

So would it be best to get one or more than one?

thanks for any replies :)
Becky
 
we use a 12 gal (uk) as a breeding tank for them.

We have a breeding pair in there as well as 4 prestilla tetras and 2 ladder loaches.
Along with around 60 20mm fry.

Apart from the poop they are fine.
 
I wouldnt get a Bristlenose in anything under 20G unless you are actually breeding. It is possible, but they DO get big (up to 6") and create alot of mess, which most pumps on tanks this size cannot handle.

Look into Clown plecs, or even better, get a small group of Otos, they would be MUCH better suited to your tank size and situation :) I would suggest getting a group of 3 or 4 :)

Ben
 
Not all bristlenoses get big. The one I have for instance, Ancistrus claro (LDA08) is listed on planet catfish as having a max size of 2.8". But yes some can get to 6" or even more. So if you'd really like bristlenoses, I'd suggest researching a species that would go in your tank.

Having said that I'd agree that a group of ottos would be ideal as a clean-up crew and they're very cute fish too :)
 
As long as the filtration is up to it - 2 commons in a 2ft tank shouldn't be a problem.

Our male is full grown now and about 4.5" our female is about the same age and about 3"

so they dont allways get as big as websites report.

IF you do get them - make sure they have a good selection of caves and hiding places :nod:
 
smithrc said:
As long as the filtration is up to it - 2 commons in a 2ft tank shouldn't be a problem.

Our male is full grown now and about 4.5" our female is about the same age and about 3"

so they dont allways get as big as websites report.

IF you do get them - make sure they have a good selection of caves and hiding places :nod:
Well the internal power filter we're running (eheim 2008) says it has a max rate of 300l/h for a 57 litre tank - is that good enough? :blink:

The water looks very clear (bit brown from the new bogwood though!)

I've had a look online today for info on Clown plecs and Otos. From what I've read the Clown plecs sound very shy / reclusive - I'd like to see the fish! and the Otos sound a bit more delicate / susceptible to stress than Bristlenoses - more likely to die? Also I *really* like the look of the Bns - they're just so ugly!

The guy at the LFS who had bred them said his reached a max 5 inches, with the females a bit smaller. We'd be buying one of these babies (currently about 1.5 inches) so hopefully it'll be in the same range.

I think we'll go for one Bristelnose and some more caves / hidey places. If it does get really big we'll just have to get another tank :D

Thanks for all your help :)
 
well our new addition, one Bristlenose is in the tank and so far seems really happy :)

we think we got the fattest one in the LFS tank thinking it would be more likely to be male and we'd prefer a male as if you're gonna have a bristlenose, you want with with loads of bristles right? :cool:

it's now just under 1.5 inches long and has been exploring the bog wood (which is a big tunnel shaped piece), the stones and the pump

the neons have neen really nosey - getting right up close to say hello!

I'm now trying very hard to take pitcures of the fish for the first time - it's really difficult :rolleyes:
 
Ok potential dumb question time -

can fish hurt themselves by overeating? :rolleyes:

this bristlenose really likes his food! he's munched loads of algae, cucumber and an alage wafer thing - and the size of the poo :eek:

I'm not going to hurt him by overfeeding him am I? :*)
 
the best bit is when they eat cucumber till they poo - and its Green

I wouldnt worry. our normally pace themselves.
 

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