My Pair Of Bristlenose Plecs

[scouse_andy]

I inherited a female bristlenose off a fellow forum member about a month ago.

Last weekend I managed to track down a male partner for her from smithrc on here and also bought a cave from him. He's a big male but the cave seemed tiny to me. Russell told me that the male and female would both be able to fit in. Sure enough, on the very first day the male coaxed the female in and spent a romantic afternoon in there with her. Since then, a week ago, I have not seen him out of the cave. Is it possible that they could have spawned so quickly and he's protecting eggs or is it more likely that they are courting and I've just not been around when he's been out?

The female is quite often out and about and not too skittish so I'm thinking that there are enough hiding spaces for them.

Any advice or pointers about how to breed these fish would be very welcome.

Here is a photo of the female, very tame as you can see:

and here is the male, well as much of him as I've been able to see this week! I'm hoping that he'll just be getting used to new surroundings before being a bit more sociable!

 

[smithrc]

Good grief! Look at the size of her! - They make a great pair

Does the female look noticeably thinner?
Its entirely possible that she was egg laden when you got the male home and he did what came naturally

Its not until you see him in the cave that it becomes apparent - He really is big isn't he

As for breeding them - leave them too it - it looks like they have the right idea already.

Can you see into the cave where it is? I've always got torches near my breeding tanks - just quick peeks though

 

[ShoC]

get some Red LED lights apparently fish cant see Red so its still dark to them and you can watch them doing all their nocturnal stuff

 

[dane261]

if there is eggs in there he will be facing out the cave and using his tail/fin to waft the eggs to stop any infection


cheers dane

ps russell wahat the hell you been feeding that male

 

[smithrc]

if there is eggs in there he will be facing out the cave and using his tail/fin to waft the eggs to stop any infection


cheers dane

ps russell wahat the hell you been feeding that male

lol - allsorts...

Our plecs always have their heads in the cave on spawns... never seen them the other way round (eg head sticking out)
They turn the eggs with their mouths too....

 

[dane261]

learn summit new everyday

im writing a proper article for here on bn plecs as i have kept them for years got loads of photos and stuff to use so should help a few people out

cheers dane

 

[lilfishie]

my guy always had his head by the eggs, think he ended up sitting on them a few times too

 

[dave1987]

sorry to hijack your page but what size is that pair

 

[dane261]

probs about 5-6 inches




cheers dane

 

[scouse_andy]

probs about 5-6 inches




cheers dane

Yeah I would say male a good six inches, female about 5. Waiting for a first spawn, they've only been together in the tank for a week or so.

Male has been out more so no eggs yet

 

[dave1987]

cool if you hear of any1 getting rid of a pair or adult plecs give me a shout i want to start breedind them

 

[scouse_andy]

are you after bristlenoses specifically or any type of plec?

 

[dave1987]

any type really pm me if you have anything cus im still no use to this site i find it alot easier lol