Have you watched exactly what happens when you put the pellets into the tank? But unlike smaller species, such as the Bristlenose or Clown, Common Plecos often don’t work out in community aquariums: Fish Keeping World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and any other affiliated sites. This is where those caves and hiding spots come in. I feed my plecos at night after I turn off the lights because my Bettas eat the wafers if they see them. Other fish species will attempt to eat the baby fish once they hatch. We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below…, 13 Must Have Algae Eaters for Your Aquarium 2021, 17 Best Freshwater Aquarium Fish – Most Popular Listed 2021, Introduction Dwarf water lettuce actually bears no relation to actual lettuce; it gets its name because its appearance is similar to lettuce. So far he seems to be alright but what are your thoughts??? They therefore prefer freshwater with a current that is well aerated. The Kuhli Loach is a peaceful bottom dwelling fish, it is the water equivalent of an owl and will stay awake all night scavenging around the tank looking for food. The babies are safely tucked into a corner of the tank, out of the reach of other fish and are between half and three quarters of an inch long. A good way to tell if you’re feeding your fish enough is to monitor their color. So, the key to keeping them healthy is to replicate the conditions they encounter in the wild. Thanks, Robert. I guess the longfin is going to be the only pleco in the tank for the remainder of her life, because I put a male in there, thinking a male would be alright, and I had to move him from another tank, but she was aggressive with him, too. Thanks, Robert, Hi just wondering could you put a bristlenose in a nursery tank to help keep it clean while guppy and molly fry and growing, Hi Trevor, I can’t say for sure, but it should be OK. Bristlenoses are mostly herbivorous however about 15% of their diet should be made up of protein so they may be tempted to eat them. Sinking fish food pellets and spirulina wafers are great. Cheers Ali, Hi Alison, they do have a mostly vegetarian diet so they should stay away from snails. It’s also shorter and a bit plumper. Hi I noticed orange eggs and drift so I put that and dad in another tank u had here. This is one of our favorite parts of owning this fish because you’ll have quite a long time to develop a bond. I just noticed a bunch of really small ones in my large tank too. They’re very effective at removing waste. Hi Kathleen, it’s impossible to say whether they’ll ever breed or not. Is a Bristlenose Pleco Suitable for your Aquarium? One evening, I noticed that every place my albino swam to, the longfin followed. In actuality, Dwarf water lettuce is a floating aquatic plant. Unlike the other types of Molly fish available in the fish keeping hobby, the Black Molly gets the majority of its traits as a result of captive breeding, and you would struggle to find one in the wild. The water is naturally cooler. We certainly did not expect this, however we are happy to have new editions to the family. Many thanks, Robert, Hi Ahmad, we only suggest keeping one male per tank, unless you have plenty of hiding spaces. So, consider increasing the frequency of their meals a bit. I have doubled checked to make sure I was not mistakenly seeing one of my clown plecos with them, but they are distinctly different fish and the three normal pigment plecos all have the characteristic bristles. Some aquarists like to give their Bristlenose Plecos natural foods. (Summary). Hi Karen, unfortunately even when you buy a more peaceful fish species, there will be the odd one who is aggressive. It’s a really tall cave, and I cant move it….would breeding grass help? Will I need to buy a new heater? Let me know how you get on! If you have any further questions about Bristlenose Plecos feel free to get in touch with us on social media or through our contact page. Thanks, Robert, I currently have one half moon male betta fish I want to get a female bristle (since I just moved my betta to a bigger tank) to keep the tank clean. It’s really quite a stunning display. If you don’t have a ton of experience just yet, stick with adult fish. It is usually referred to as Pleco because of the superstition that if you spell it fully or correctly your fish will soon die. This evening we have spotted a few baby places in our tank. The female will inspect the cave, and if she is impressed, she’ll deposit some bright orange adhesive eggs. He’s been in the cave for a while now and I’m worried he might die if he doesn’t come out for food, Hi Amy, they normally stay in the cave with the eggs for 4-10 days. They’re a docile fish that does well with other peaceful creatures. Lifespan of Different Types of Goldfish There’s one further distinction we have to account for when talking about the life expectancy of a goldfish, and that’s what type of goldfish you have. Shortly after realizing these guys are mature enough to breed, I set up a second tank for them to stay in until they get to 1 inch long, at which time I can exchange them at my local LFS for store credit. As your tank becomes more established, it’ll also build up an algae base which they’ll be able to graze on. would it be possible to have a bristle nose in a tall tank. Sexing. Bristlenose Pleco Lifespan. If you decide to supply some blanched vegetables every once in a while, make sure that you remove the food after a few hours. It’s plenty of room and caves/hiding spots for her in our 190 litre corner aquarium. I have a 5 1/2 gallon tank. Unfortunately, she passed within a few hours. I have one about 2-4 year old male pleco, two 1-2 year old male plecos and two 1-2 year old female plecos. All have a brown color with white spots except this one which is completely white. how do i feed my pleco if my mollies keep eating their pellets. My question is will he come out to eat at all? Copyright © 2021 - Fishkeeping World - All Rights Reserved. When they’re still young, they will develop their tough skin. Robert. ... striped raphael catfish, sailfin pleco, common pleco, bristlenose pleco. The Starlight Bristlenose pleco, also recognized as Ancistrus dolichopterus or L183, is an exotic-looking suckerfish that has a maximum size of 4.5 inches. These bristlenose plecos … I can take that out but I am unsure what to do with all of the babies. My betta has never encountered other fish that I know of so I have no idea if he’s aggressive or not is there a way to check before I buy a bristle (I don’t want my betta to pick on her), Hi Misha, you could try getting another fish in a tank just next to him and watch to see if he flares, however the only true way to tell will be to add another fish. Fishkeeping world was created by a school of fish fanatics. Fish fry grows very rapidly. Since then, they have become popular with aquarists all over the world. A month later 3 started emerging that must have survived because they were about an inch long! They spend their time sifting through the bottom of the stream and survive mostly on plant-based materials. You can make out a faint light marbled and spotted pattern as well. If you’re feeding your Plecos vegetables every day, it’s likely they will be getting enough fiber, however if you can’t commit to being consistent, you will need to provide them with another source of fiber. He never seems to go for food and try and get it and just stays at the bottom. The average Bristlenose Pleco lifespan is at least five years, but there have been instances where this fish has lived up to 12 years in captivity! Congratulations on your first spawn Jeff. While I do have plenty of rocks and caves for him to hide in, I’m a little worried about him getting picked on. Thanks, Robert. Accompanying that base color is a series of lighter dots all over. When it comes to size, these fish are on the smaller end of the spectrum. The fish will feed off them slowly and can take advantage of the nutrients they have. Maximum size: 19" long or longer during a potential lifespan of 20-years or more. The males tend to have larger bristles, which grow out to the middle of its head. Blanched vegetables like peas, cucumbers, zucchini, carrots, and such are great options. African Cichlids are notoriously aggressive whereas Bristlenoses are quite peaceful. The Starlight Bristlenose Pleco is by far our personal favorite variation of this fish. ... Jack Dempsey cichlid, jaguar cichlid and different catfishes: leopard pleco, plecostomus, bristlenose pleco. What do you think of Bristlenose Plecos, do you find them strange looking or attractive? It could also be a sign that there’s too much ammonia and nitrate in the water. Your Bristlenose Plecos will eat the algae right off. However, we feel rather strongly that doing so is a bad choice. My kids just pointed out 3 baby pleco’s and then I noticed 6 more. Thanks, Robert. He’ll then wait for a female. The average Bristlenose Pleco size is somewhere between 3 and 5 inches long. Seasoned aquarists typically go for canister filters for tanks (like the Fluval FX4 or FX6) with Bristlenose Plecos. These little critters are very easy to care for and can help improve the quality of the tank. Lots of wonderful information! While some fish species are susceptible to unique diseases, that’s not the case for the Bristlenose. They won’t feel comfortable and safe with places to hide, so it’s possible he is looking for a hiding place. You should have more female Bristlenose Plecos in the tank than males. Any peaceful fish are fine tank mates for Bristlenose Plecos. To replicate this you may want to make your tank slightly cooler than normal. If they do breed in a community tank, you can move the eggs (along with whatever they are attached to), to another tank. He is really lucky to be alive. Download your free Bristlenose Pleco guide. Bristlenose Plecos typically lay in between 10-40 eggs. Hi, We have a 500Ltr community aquarium. The underneath side of the fish is lighter in color than the main body. It comes down to the specific fish you are keeping though and their temperaments. Certain variations such as the Longfin tend to be on the shorter end of this range, but overall care and genetics impact this the most. Do you know what these weird lumps on it’s cheeks could be and why does it look like it’s blind (white eyes)? The “bristles” are present in all Bristlenose Plecos. Create plenty of hiding spots. You can’t rely on their scavenging nature alone to keep the tank in good condition. Hes been a great guard. They are eating tons, I add algae tabs and carnivore tabs as they need. Though, they can also be found throughout other parts of Central and South America as well. What do I do with all of these mixed breed fish? I suggest contacting your local pet store, perhaps the one you bought them from and seeing if they are able to give them a temporary home and then sell them on. However, as juveniles, they can be kept in smaller aquariums as long as there is a plan in place to move them as they get bigger. Anywhere between 60-80oF is fine for them. Keeping fish can be a very rewarding hobby however we recommend you have at least 2 years of fish keeping experience [Continue reading …]. Make sure your tank is large enough, I would suggest at least 40 gallons for 2 Goldfish and a Pleco. I really want to keep one in my 75 gallon community tank. Thanks for sharing, Robert. One of the best parts of having a Bristlenose Pleco is that they are eager algae eaters. Their diet should consist of around 85% plant matter and 15% protein. But I was just wondering about how many of them are usually born in one batch? The typical clown pleco lifespan is between 10-12 years when properly taken care of. Bristlenose Plecos are pretty easy to breed however there are a few things to note before we look at how to breed them. The Bristlenose Catfish is one of the smallest aquarium catfish, and will grow up to an average of 3-5 inches. I know each individual fish can be different, but since it is an albino I guess I can’t look for “good coloration” as a sign of being well fed. Also is it better to keep more than the two I currently have, I have plenty of room for more. They thrive in environments with warmer temperatures, moderate water flow, and plenty of oxygen. As we mentioned earlier, Bristlenose Plecos originated from the Amazon. I wonder the outcome of this tank, as we are simply feeding them all fish flake food and enjoying the multiplying. It usually starts with the male looking for a great spot for the female to lay her eggs. Another difference between the Bristlenose and other Plecos is that the head is wider. Also known as the Bushy nose Pleco, these easy to care for tropical freshwater fish are perfect for beginner aquarists, and advanced aquarists alike. The Bristlenose Pleco is known as a number of different names including; Bristlenose Catfish, Bushynose Catfish, Common Bristlenose Catfish and the Brushmouth Pleco. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-box-3','ezslot_11',110,'0','0']));The Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.) Gotta day it’s super clean though, I almost just want to leave him in too maintain it in there lol, Hi Nick, Yikes! Will she be happy by herself? Robert. They’ll swim around looking for food in the substrate. Whether you do a separate breeding tank or not, make sure that the environment is perfect. The Neons are the only ones that go in the cave…I just keep hoping they cant see the babies, if there are any, in the darkness. Also they have elongated fins end. Fortunately at least 6 of them were alive and kicking and they seemed fine when I put them back into the tank. They have a flattened body covered in bony plates, and as they reach maturity, they sprout tentacle like branches from their head. By putting a piece of driftwood in your tank, not only will you be providing them with fibrous matter, but you’ll also be creating another space where algae can grow for them to eat. If it seems like a regular occurrence, don’t ignore it. For females, the bristles are a bit more subdued and sprout out around the mouth area. Consider making some filter and aeration changes to ensure that your fish can stay healthy. Bristlenose Plecos originate from the streams and rivers in South America. Thank you! Depending on what other fish you are housing with your Bristlenose, you’ll need a minimum tank size of 25 gallons, and you should ensure than the bottom of the tank, which is where they spend most of their time, is large. Why does my Bristlenose Pleco hide between my filter and tank near the top of my tank? I did not plan on breeding, I have two adult bristlenose (not realizing one male and one female). The male will then fertilize them, and push the female out to guard the eggs. The girl at the store said that he would be alright in my African cichlid tank as long as there are spots to hide. They do well in a variety of tank conditions. When I moved an ornament yesterday, I discovered a cluster of bright orange eggs underneath, I now understand these are Pleco eggs. The Albino Bristlenose Pleco is easily the most popular variation of this fish. If things that to look a bit dull and softened, it means that your fish aren’t getting the balanced diet that they need. Hi Lanee, Try feeding your mollies on one side of your tank, and a few minutes later feed your Pleco on the opposite side. If so, hairgrass or something similar is a good option! I actually saw them fighting over a hiding spot, so I removed that particular hide, but placed others in the tank. Thanks, Robert, Hi , I have a bristlenose catfish and wondered if they eat baby pond snails? The Bristlenose Catfish is one of the smallest aquarium catfish, and will grow up to an average of 3-5 inches. Hi Donna, yes you’ve definitely done the right thing. At this point, the male will fertilize the eggs. An adult common pleco requires a 150-gallon tank, minimum. The first batch of fry are in a tank at about 72-74°F. Secondly, breeding of this species usually occurs in the cooler winter months during the Amazon’s rainy season. Just like the Longfin, the Super Red Bristlenose Pleco gives away it’s uniqueness in the name. If she deems the site acceptable, she’ll lay her eggs all over the cave walls and floor. Bristlenose Pleco - Ancistrus cirrhosus. One appears to be a bristle nose and is about 4 inches long, the other is what I would call a common plec and is about 10 inches long. Robert, Lost mine in my tank after I moved 3 months ago, assumed it jumped out somewhere or was stuck. The Bristlenose Pleco is a master of disguise, and also a great tank cleaner. A few examples of things you could try are, parboiled lettuce or cabbage leaves, carrots, cucumber or peas. Lifespan can be about 7-10 years. Males are more colorful and they are larger then females. Recently, I noticed all four together only now there is 1 albino and 3 regular pigment. I also tried cucumber but he dosebt eat that either. But they are an orange colour. One of the most common freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby today, and quite often the most unusual, is the Black Molly. It all comes down to the exact fish and their temperament. Usually, the eggs will hatch after 4 to 10 days. I know they are supposed to be nocturnal, but mine is out during the day sucking things with some resting. This is another very popular option that freshwater aquarists seem to love. You should therefore provide as many caves as possible if you have more than one male. The body of the Starlight Bristlenose Pleco is pretty much completely black with white dots spread consistently all over (the “stars”). Plecostomus - Pleco Fish. I bought one albino bristle nose and one common black pleco with lighter stripes. Was given two bristlenose from a friend who had unexpected babies in their tank.