Getting a Bristlenose pleco from Maidenhead aquatics

[MattW24 140]

Separate question does anyone have any good ways of changing water for a fish tank.

In what way? Taking water out / putting water in / transporting water to and from the tank? Gravel vac?

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Water to and from the tank and transferring fish

 

[MattW24 140]

For me, I use water totes and buckets. Dirty water is siphoned into a 10L bucket and clean water is added to the tank from the tote, also 10L (bare in mind temperature differences, I try to achieve less than a 2 degree difference between the two waters). I do add dechlorinator in the tote then wait 5 mins just to be sure before adding into the tank. As for transferring fish for a quick switch of tank, I net them up and put them in a 3L measuring jug, around a 20-30min drip acclimation is done which is more than sufficient for the fish/shrimps I have. As for long-term transferring/quarantine, I've used a food-grade plastic container of around 25-30L or any spare tank I have, including matured filter media as well.

Going back to WCs I've heard other members mention and use the Python system which sounds like a more efficient way but I've never considered getting one. Also, houseplants and any garden plants can make use of the dirty water which is what I do with my peace lilies and ferns

 

[swbrenneis]

I got an albino bristlenose from PetCo (US big box store). He was about a half inch long and was in a tank by himself. It was obvious that they took good care of their tanks. They had a saltwater section, which is a bit unusual for a big box chain store. The saltwater tanks were crystal clear and the fish all looked healthy. No hair algae or diatoms. They even had some healthy-looking coral frags.

My bristlenose has tripled in size since I got him last month. He's a lot of fun to watch cruising around the tank, munching on algae and uneaten flake food. I guess the point is, if you're going to buy from a chain, you should observe their stock for a couple of weeks before you buy and always quarantine. Obviously, YMMV.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

I got an albino bristlenose from PetCo (US big box store). He was about a half inch long and was in a tank by himself. It was obvious that they took good care of their tanks. They had a saltwater section, which is a bit unusual for a big box chain store. The saltwater tanks were crystal clear and the fish all looked healthy. No hair algae or diatoms. They even had some healthy-looking coral frags.

My bristlenose has tripled in size since I got him last month. He's a lot of fun to watch cruising around the tank, munching on algae and uneaten flake food. I guess the point is, if you're going to buy from a chain, you should observe their stock for a couple of weeks before you buy and always quarantine. Obviously, YMMV.

Yeah I have. I’ve been to Maidenhead aquatics twice before. Once to buy my starting fish and second to buy some plants and driftwood. They have hundreds of fish and I have only ever seen one dead one and all the fish I have bought from them have survived so far( 2/3 months). I think I will quarantine the fish I get just need to find a tank and finally decide on my stocking and then will gradually quarantine and introduce the fish.

 

[CassCats3 2]

I use a siphon hose (50 foot vinyl hose) to drain my tanks from tank into bath tub. And to refill I use a garden hose from my kitchen sink into the tank directly. Dose dechlorinator for entire tank volume before refilling with hose.

My arthritis doesn't like draining into buckets nowadays.

 

[CassCats3 2]

I’ll consider getting some then. Casscats you mentioned some tetras that I could get are emperor tetras and rummynose tetras okay with the garras and danios?

Missed this question.

The answer to this would be no, they like it warmer, particularly the emperors who should be kept 75-82F range, which keeping at extreme ends longterm aren't great, a middle ground is best, so they'd be too tricky to keep in a cooler tank.

There's a couple species of rummynose, some like hot some are more wide ranging, so that's also tricky because you'd have to visually be able to tell the species apart to see what one you're getting.

 

[fishorama21 13]

Fishkeeper123, you did see I was talking about trying 1 gourami if you decide to do it at all? & Essjay is correct, but 3 spot is also a less common name these days, here (US) anyway. He must be old too, ha! Do not get a dwarf, honey or pearl by mistake. But study the tank of any possible signs of diseases. When in doubt, wait! We're not talking about rare fish, they will have more soon.

I have heard good things about some Maidenhead Aquatics, but they are a chain, so different shops may not all be the same. Do you need a refresher course of what to look for? There are a few of us that have a list, lol. But I don't feel like typing right now...almost dinnertime.

I'm very happy you will quarantine any new fish! This is a sign you're well on your way to better fish keeping (along w/more water changes! lol). It only takes 1 really awful new fish experience to put 1 off our hobby. You'll never be sorry you took this big step, a PITA, but well worth it. Always service the healthy tanks 1st, then the QT. Rinse the siphon & every bit of equipment afterward & allow them to dry out. Some of us have separate QT equipment...but you're probably not quite there yet...Do the best you, can but be aware of cross contamination from nets, etc.

I use a gravel vacuum into a bucket (or more). I have 2 sized vacuums, 1 for larger tanks, 3 or 4 inches x inch+ & a smaller round 1, maybe 1 inch or so. My husband often helps empty them. But neither of us can carry as much as we used to. I have a Python I use for refilling, dosing Prime dechlor for most of the tank's volume unless it's just for 1 medium or smaller tank. Then I use gallon jugs with 2 drops of dechlorinater each & pretend it's exercise. My 50ft Python is heavy to drain & wind up. I also weed plants into the buckets & throw them around garden plants or the compost pile. The Python clogs & slows with plant debris, mosses are especially problematic.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Fishkeeper123, you did see I was talking about trying 1 gourami if you decide to do it at all? & Essjay is correct, but 3 spot is also a less common name these days, here (US) anyway. He must be old too, ha! Do not get a dwarf, honey or pearl by mistake. But study the tank of any possible signs of diseases. When in doubt, wait! We're not talking about rare fish, they will have more soon.

I have heard good things about some Maidenhead Aquatics, but they are a chain, so different shops may not all be the same. Do you need a refresher course of what to look for? There are a few of us that have a list, lol. But I don't feel like typing right now...almost dinnertime.

I'm very happy you will quarantine any new fish! This is a sign you're well on your way to better fish keeping (along w/more water changes! lol). It only takes 1 really awful new fish experience to put 1 off our hobby. You'll never be sorry you took this big step, a PITA, but well worth it. Always service the healthy tanks 1st, then the QT. Rinse the siphon & every bit of equipment afterward & allow them to dry out. Some of us have separate QT equipment...but you're probably not quite there yet...Do the best you, can but be aware of cross contamination from nets, etc.

I use a gravel vacuum into a bucket (or more). I have 2 sized vacuums, 1 for larger tanks, 3 or 4 inches x inch+ & a smaller round 1, maybe 1 inch or so. My husband often helps empty them. But neither of us can carry as much as we used to. I have a Python I use for refilling, dosing Prime dechlor for most of the tank's volume unless it's just for 1 medium or smaller tank. Then I use gallon jugs with 2 drops of dechlorinater each & pretend it's exercise. My 50ft Python is heavy to drain & wind up. I also weed plants into the buckets & throw them around garden plants or the compost pile. The Python clogs & slows with plant debris, mosses are especially problematic.

Thanks for the advice I will consider the gourami. If I do have a problem and does kill all my fish I will still stay in the hobby. But will just be annoyed on all the wasted money

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Fishkeeper123, you did see I was talking about trying 1 gourami if you decide to do it at all? & Essjay is correct, but 3 spot is also a less common name these days, here (US) anyway. He must be old too, ha! Do not get a dwarf, honey or pearl by mistake. But study the tank of any possible signs of diseases. When in doubt, wait! We're not talking about rare fish, they will have more soon.

I have heard good things about some Maidenhead Aquatics, but they are a chain, so different shops may not all be the same. Do you need a refresher course of what to look for? There are a few of us that have a list, lol. But I don't feel like typing right now...almost dinnertime.

I'm very happy you will quarantine any new fish! This is a sign you're well on your way to better fish keeping (along w/more water changes! lol). It only takes 1 really awful new fish experience to put 1 off our hobby. You'll never be sorry you took this big step, a PITA, but well worth it. Always service the healthy tanks 1st, then the QT. Rinse the siphon & every bit of equipment afterward & allow them to dry out. Some of us have separate QT equipment...but you're probably not quite there yet...Do the best you, can but be aware of cross contamination from nets, etc.

I use a gravel vacuum into a bucket (or more). I have 2 sized vacuums, 1 for larger tanks, 3 or 4 inches x inch+ & a smaller round 1, maybe 1 inch or so. My husband often helps empty them. But neither of us can carry as much as we used to. I have a Python I use for refilling, dosing Prime dechlor for most of the tank's volume unless it's just for 1 medium or smaller tank. Then I use gallon jugs with 2 drops of dechlorinater each & pretend it's exercise. My 50ft Python is heavy to drain & wind up. I also weed plants into the buckets & throw them around garden plants or the compost pile. The Python clogs & slows with plant debris, mosses are especially problematic.

Yes pls can I have a refresher on what to look for. Are there any tips on knowing what gender fish your getting for BN, kribensis and are all guppie males the bright guppies?

 

[CassCats3 2]

It depends on size, but male BN plecos will have bristles around the lip AND down the center of the snout.

A female may have a little around the lips but never any down the center of the snout. Usually they don't have any at all.

But generally you can't tell on juvenile fish smaller than 2 inches.

Some examples:

Adult females with and without lip bristles.

Adult males

 

[fishorama21 13]

Take your time to study all the fish in a tank you're considering buying from. Look for several things.

Learn what the species should look like, so you know what normal is for a given species. You want to look for:

Any whitish/gray areas from little salt grains to patches, NO! All over, a few, or just on the lips, these are not healthy fish

Red spots, streaks anywhere, again a big NO

Skinny (sunken) or bloated abdomens., NO

Look also at the dorsal area (the top part of the fish). A thin area near the top fin or behind the head can be a bad sign

Clamped fins, any. NO

Stringy poo (this can be difficult to see unless you're there at the right time) In gouramis & livebearers this may be more noticeable

Torn or ragged looking fins (may be ok) but something to watch for. It may just be "low fish" on the hierarchy totem pole. White edges to torn fins can be a sign of healing...or the beginning of disease. I'd wait...

Ask to watch the fish eat, not eating isn't good, but they may have just been fed. Ask what they feed & how long the fish have been in the shop? What are their water parameters?

Don't be in a hurry to buy. Practice just watching fish in shop tanks with a critical eye. It's a learned skill I'm sure you can master or at least get pretty good judging. My bottom line, if in doubt, wait!

Really, I wasn't trying to push you toward a blue gourami, but just as a possible "centerpiece" fish. Personally, I'd go with a school of white clouds & a small younger BN pleco.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Take your time to study all the fish in a tank you're considering buying from. Look for several things.

Learn what the species should look like, so you know what normal is for a given species. You want to look for:

Any whitish/gray areas from little salt grains to patches, NO! All over, a few, or just on the lips, these are not healthy fish

Red spots, streaks anywhere, again a big NO

Skinny (sunken) or bloated abdomens., NO

Look also at the dorsal area (the top part of the fish). A thin area near the top fin or behind the head can be a bad sign

Clamped fins, any. NO

Stringy poo (this can be difficult to see unless you're there at the right time) In gouramis & livebearers this may be more noticeable

Torn or ragged looking fins (may be ok) but something to watch for. It may just be "low fish" on the hierarchy totem pole. White edges to torn fins can be a sign of healing...or the beginning of disease. I'd wait...

Ask to watch the fish eat, not eating isn't good, but they may have just been fed. Ask what they feed & how long the fish have been in the shop? What are their water parameters?

Don't be in a hurry to buy. Practice just watching fish in shop tanks with a critical eye. It's a learned skill I'm sure you can master or at least get pretty good judging. My bottom line, if in doubt, wait!

Really, I wasn't trying to push you toward a blue gourami, but just as a possible "centerpiece" fish. Personally, I'd go with a school of white clouds & a small younger BN pleco.

I know thanks for the help. However I kind of want a fish with a bit more colour so wouldn’t go for the white clouds. Yeah my longfinned leopard danios originally had long fins now 6 do( I’m not sure if I got one short fin tho). But they seem to all be doing fine altogether and share out the chasing.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

It depends on size, but male BN plecos will have bristles around the lip AND down the center of the snout.

A female may have a little around the lips but never any down the center of the snout. Usually they don't have any at all.

But generally you can't tell on juvenile fish smaller than 2 inches.

Some examples:

Adult females with and without lip bristles.
View attachment 355918
View attachment 355920


Adult males
View attachment 355919
View attachment 355921

Thanks for the tips. They are beautiful are they fish you found on safari or are they yours?

 

[Fishkeeper123]

I know people may disagree with the Kribensis and idea of guppies in the tank but can I have some advice for spotting good fish for those species. Do Maidenhead aquatics keep an all male and all female tanks or are they a mix. I know guppies have bad genes. Are there any signs I should look for if I do get some? For the kribensis does anyone know if they are regularly sold there? As last time I went I didn’t see any but I was in a small store and will go to bigger one next time( when I get the new fish).