Bristlenose

[fry_lover]

I have bristlenose in another set up (adults), but i am going to purchase some young bristlenose (about 1.5cm) for my 48" Community Tank (platies, guppies, cory, tetra, small gouramis)

Its packed to the rafters with Moss Balls, Java Fern, Amazon Sword and Onions Plants, and its its my "pride and joy" planted tank.

Questions

1. How much do Bristlenose tend to interfere with healthy plant growth if at all? Or will it more be an issue when they get bigger?

2. I have lots of Corydoras in my tank, i read somewhere that Bristlenose can become a little competitive with other bottom feeders? Do you see this as a risk? Or in other words, a careless risk?

3. Whats the minimum size Bristlenose you would put in a Malawi Tank (most of the Malawi are about 2-3", a few are about 4")

 

[nukeonekitty]

I put a 1.5 inch BN in my Mbuna tank and he did fine. Given the fish were all only about 3 inches. I don't think the BN will hurt your other bottom feeders at all. They are pretty friendly and easy going fish. As for the plants, I really don't know. My BN in my other tank doesn't munch on my anubias nanas.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Can't see you having a problem. My own BN live in a heavily planted tank and do not eat or pull up the plants. My Malawis, however do! My BN's lived, briefly, with the Malawis in the 100g tank and coped fine. The Malawis being full grown adults well over the 5 inch mark for some. Some are probably closer to 7" but I don't have a ruler to hand.
I did, however, have problems with my LDA33 living with my Malawis. He grew faster then expected but always looked underweight. He now lives with the BN's in their smaller tank and they get along fine. Course that might change when he gets a whole lot bigger but I have options for other tanks for him if needed.
One of the BN females still lives with the Malawis as I failed to catch her again once she was in there. And I see her every night claiming her food. Some of the Malawis make her look tiny and she's not far off full grown!
P.

 

[dane261]

it depends on the bn to be honest mate some are fine in planted tank and some arnt mine ate the plants to the point where i had to take the plants out and i now have plastic plants in there and they are trying there hardest to eat them

cheers dane