Shy Bristle Nose

[Number 1 Jasper]

Over the last few weeks ( 3 - 4 ) my bristlenose has become very shy , he used to be out and about all day , clinging to the glass at the front of the tank etc .

Now he only comes out at night , I can see him if I have the room lights on , but he hides himself well & I know he's eating as the plants are getting demolished ,but he does not eat at normal feeding times anymore .

Is this behaviour normal ,do they change as they get older , we have had him for about 15 months .

can any one help me please ?

 

[andyw823]

In my expereince, my BN was always out and about when i first got it but over the months it hid away more and more. After 2 years i still do see it but very little.... i think they get use to their little hiding patch in the tank and stay and guard it / or just feel settled hiding there!

 

[littleme1969]

Hi.. the fact that he is having a go at your plants is a bit of a worry. BNs if well fed will only touch plants to clean them. If hes not comming out when all the other feed he may not be getting enough to eat, so try adding some sinking pellet food in the area he hangs out just after you switch out the lights, that way he will have a chance of getting some nosh And yes when they reach maturity they do tend to hide more. Males are worst culprits for this, finidng a little hiding place and sticking to it to gaurd it. Females tend to more adventerous and you see them out and about a lot more.

 

[insanityseeker]

maybe something else is eating your plants. what else is he with?

 

[wendywc]

Ever since I gave my BN a cave, he's been staying there more and more too. I would have to agree though that it must be some other fish that's getting the plants though.

 

[Number 1 Jasper]

maybe something else is eating your plants. what else is he with?

he is in with some balloon mollies , 5 bronze cat fish , 5 glo light tetras 3 rainbow fish & 1 black shark .

Thanks all , you have put my mind at rest , seems he has just taken to hiding away

oh and i do drop sinking pellets to the back of the tank where some of the hiding places are .