bristlenose

[pebbles]

i have a bristlenose which seems happy enough and yet just recently he has been 'digging' holes. he has lots of places to hide in ,and yet he persists in digging under the pot and under the tubes...it gets a little strange whilst watching tv to the sound of gravel moving ,i have had him for about 9 months now and i dont think he has ever done it before .is this usual behaviour,or could he be stressed?

 

[SirMinion]

Could be searching for more food. Do you feed him meat and veg? Bristlenoses are excellent on algae, but they do also need meaty foods like bloodworm or shrimp pellets.

 

[smithrc]

might be food - or it could just be looking for a nice tight bristlenose sized hining place - as they mature they hide more and will want more privacy.

wife, kids and planning permission for an extension comes later.

 

[pebbles]

i would doubt he is looking for food, he gets fed sinking pellets and has bloodworm as a treat . he also loves his cucumber and courgette.any other ideas?

 

[Final Dynazty]

He might be bored LOL

 

[samthefishman]

i would put a female in asap! i am thinking he may be making his spawning place... the exact thing of what mine is doing right now.

 

[pebbles]

funny you should say that ... have been looking for a 'friend' for him , not managed to find one yet though ...

 

[breezer40]

Your bristlenose is in the mood for love I woke up one morning to find mine had excavated nearly 2 ins of gravel and made himself a nice little love nest under the bogwood. One week later he became a proud father

 

[raindream]

I have 5 bristlenose in my tank and two of them dig under the rocks, I thought was normal, hope mine are looking at becoming parents.

 

[samthefishman]

Raindream, How big are they? and do you know if you have males and females?

 

[raindream]

Mine are about 3 inches long, I am not sure how to tell male from female....they are at least 6-7 months old so am not sure how old they need to be to breed....I just thought digging was part of their behaviour, would be nice to get bubs though...