Bristlenose plecos in hard water?

[FishFriend0]

The temperature seems too high for those species, the platy especially. Have you considered lowering it?

Yes I have, what do you think would be an ideal temperature for the tank?

 

[FishFriend0]

Regarding stocking, the oxygen is reduced at higher temperatures.

Makes sense

 

[Naughts]

Yes I have, what do you think would be an ideal temperature for the tank?

My thoughts would be 24c. You can research your species’ temperature range at seriouslyfish.com. Mid-range is ideal but with community tanks there is usually a compromise to be sought.

 

[Gertrudae]

I would stock only one bristlenose. Two male will fight each other, two female could get along but there ist no guarantee and a pair will reproduce. Here in Germany it is very difficult to find a new home for the young.

 

[FishFriend0]

I would stock only one bristlenose. Two male will fight each other, two female could get along but there ist no guarantee and a pair will reproduce. Here in Germany it is very difficult to find a new home for the young.

Yes that makes sense especially since it is my first

 

[FishFriend0]

I have been doing some more research on the internet and many sources say that bristlenose should be kept in groups of 2 upwards as they can be timid and less happy if they are alone. Do you think it is ethical to keep just one, would they get lonely?

 

[Magnum Man]

I've always tried to do them in small groups, but they actually seem more stable as singles in my tanks... several that have thrived have been as singles... ( that may go back to the "valentines, single fish thread" that often a single will outlive it's group from a schooling group of fish, and end up living a long life, as a bachelor )

 

[Gertrudae]

I usually keep one in an aquarium. I kept two females in a larger aquarium, but they didn't interact much with each other. It was more like, "This is my territory, stay away!"

Once I had about 25 (twenty-five) in a 180-litre aquarium, males and females, and that worked well for a while until I gave them away. I suspect that in their natural habitat during the dry season, they stay together in large numbers in the last remaining pools and are not aggressive in this crowded situation, and why should they be? This is also known from other species.
When there is more space available during the rainy season, they want to reproduce and fight for their territory. With two males in a 200-litre aquarium, usually only one will remain in the long run.

 

[FishFriend0]

Yes I see what you mean. I think I will just get one then if you guys think that that’s ok? I suppose I just thought that if I was kept as the only one of my species I would feel rather lonely but then again, I’m not a bristlenose pleco…

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Yes I see what you mean. I think I will just get one then if you guys think that that’s ok? I suppose I just thought that if I was kept as the only one of my species I would feel rather lonely but then again, I’m not a bristlenose pleco…

I think one Bristlenose pleco is probably best. They are awesome fish and I believe that one is the safest and probably best bet.