Breeding Bristlenoses

[Matt181]

Hi, hope all are well

I want to brred bristlenose plecs in a 50USG tank, however i have some questions:

1) What should the M/F ratio? and how many of each could go in to a 50?
2) What should the tank set up be? Can the Fry handle loads of flow? i was hoping to keep my external on the tank.

Thanks for the great help i know i'll recieve
Matt

 

[south coast nelly]

well i have a breeding pair and also my sister has a breeding pair, it looks like you get a male and a female and add water,,,,,they might get sucked up the external so id be inclined to put something like a pair of tights over the intake, they have no probs with flow, and they breed like rabbits

 

[davo]

Males tend to fight a lot, they are not tolerant of the same species. However it may be possible to have a couple of males if there are enough hiding caves. Flow wise you will probably be ok, as long as they can't get up the intake... just put a sponge over it if you are worried. If you place a few caves in there and have it so the water flow is going across the mouth of the cave, they will do the rest. Good luck. (oh and although they eat mainly veggies feed some meaty foods to them when you want them to breed, insect larvae is best, it will help)

 

[Matt181]

Thanks for the help

What should i feed the Fry and how often?

I was thinking Cucumber every day supplementing that with algea wafers once a week and bloodworm once a week with possibly a fast day?

Thanks
Matt

 

[Titania]

I've got breeding groups in a 29 gal (3 males, 2 females) and a 65 gallon (4 males, 2 females). My males rarely fight, only occassionally during feeding time. And their fights consist exclusively of tail-slapping. There are caves for each male and lots of driftwood and plants to break up territories.

Mine do very well in high flow tanks. My 29 gal has a medium-sized HOB filter (can't remember brand or size), a Rena XP2 and a powerhead in it. The fry, especially, enjoy hanging out right at the exit of the powerhead. The flow in my 65 isn't as high, as I've got angelfish in that tank.

They definitely do breed like rabbits, but there never seems to be an end to the demand for them.

 

[Titania]

Thanks for the help

What should i feed the Fry and how often?

I was thinking Cucumber every day supplementing that with algea wafers once a week and bloodworm once a week with possibly a fast day?

Thanks
Matt

Cucumber has very few nutrients. Zuccini is a much better food. I feed fresh zuccini (I impale a small whole zuccini with a slice of skin cut off on a butter knife kept in the tank) or canned green beans. I substitute algae wafers once a week and brine shrimp sticks once a week. Fasting young fry isn't a good idea.

 

[Matt181]

Thanks, i think ill skip the fasting!

how long does it roughly take for them to become big enough to sell?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Titania]

Thanks, i think ill skip the fasting!

how long does it roughly take for them to become big enough to sell?

Thanks,
Matt

I sell mine when they get to about 2.5" body length (not including tail). They're probably about 3 to 3.5 months by that point...hard to tell exactly, as the batches of fry are non-stop. Well, that and I'm in no way organized enough to try to maintain a log for that tank with all of the new fry popping up.

I've seen much younger ones show up at auction and at LFS, some even as small as 1.0". I like to give mine the best shot possible at making it in their new home, and that requires a bit of size. But that's me.

If you can, get some albinos or browns that throw albinos. The albinos go for significantly more $$.

 

[Matt181]

thanks, i was going to do albinos for a bit more ££!


how old/big do they have to be before they are able to breed?

Thanks for all the help!
Matt

 

[Titania]

If you can get some, longfin albinos go for big $$$$$. Of course, the longfins are pretty prices to buy in the first place.

Mine were pretty close to full adult size before they started breeding...so the males were about 6-7", females slightly smaller.

What are you using for breeding caves/huts? I use round ones that are about 6" across, flat on top and bottom. The males really love them. I also have a male that spawns under a piece of driftwood.

No problem. Happy to help out.