Bristlenose and ray?
- Thread starter specialized002
- Start date
I tried 2 with mine, the rays ate them at about 4 inches long. The bristlenoses tried to keep out of the way and did not bother the rays. I was worried about them getting stuck in the rays throats as bristlenoses lock out their pectoral fins when under attack and stay that way even after they die.
I would not worry about added bio load, bristle noses even when full grown are small (under 12 inches often under 6) and the bio load they put out would be a sneeze to a ray. I am not risking any more with mine though.
Have you tried decreasing the nitrate to under 30ppm, reducing the light hours and maybe add some pothos plants to out compete the alage. I only need a quick few seconds with an algae magnet (get one that floats) and that is it once per week.
I would not worry about added bio load, bristle noses even when full grown are small (under 12 inches often under 6) and the bio load they put out would be a sneeze to a ray. I am not risking any more with mine though.
Have you tried decreasing the nitrate to under 30ppm, reducing the light hours and maybe add some pothos plants to out compete the alage. I only need a quick few seconds with an algae magnet (get one that floats) and that is it once per week.
I have bristle nose and sailfin plecos with my rays for 4 years and no issues either way. I have posted pics of my ray tanks and received comments that "my tanks are so clean you could drink the water". If you don't want to go with plecos, then reduce the amount of time you keep your lights on and that will control the algae. If you are not home during the day you can turn the lights off and only turn them on in the evening.
I have a bristle nose with my hystrix and there hasn't been any problems. The rays sometimes go right over the top of the pleco, and the pleco sometimes goes over the tops of the rays. The rays are 7.5"-8.5" and the bristle nose is about 3.5" long. They usually only interact at feeding time (for the rays) or at night when the pleco is out roaming.
I have always kept BN with my rays. Never seen the rays attempt to "pounce" him even at feeding time. Have to admit I worry bout one of them choking on it. As far as algae goes, its never been an issue and my tank gets some direct sunlight.
