Case Of The Missing Bristlenose

[Dutchie]

I placed a Bristlenose in the larger tank but cannot find him.

This was a few days ago.........is he hiding and is this common to sometimes have fish go awole and perhaps come back?

I also placed a second one in there about 3 hours ago and now I can't find that one either!

 

[Elsha]

If there is any possibility whatsoever of jumping, I'd check the floor around the tank very carefully. I had a small bristlenose jump, and I've heard from quite a few others who have as well.

 

[GoldfishAttentionSpan]

My BN always hides. Always- night, day, inbetween, always. I never see him out and about unless I tear apart his hiding spot to see if hes still alive.

Pity, hes so cool looking.

 

[rdd1952]

He is probably hiding but I will relate what happened to my son's pleco. He had been in a 40 gallon tank (he knew he would have to rehome him and had already planned to give him to me for my 75 gallon) for close to a year, was about 4" long and suddenly went missing. They couldn't figure out what had happened to him except that he had somehow jumped through one of the small holes in the hood, ended up on the floor and been eaten by the cat.

About 2 weeks after he disappeared, they got a new TV and had to rearrange furniture which meant the tank had to go. He said that when they started to take it down, they found the pleco in one of the chambers of the Aqua Clear filter doing just fine but without much color. He ended up in my 75 gallon tank and has been there for 2 months now. I assume there was enough algae and trash that came through the filter to give him plenty to eat. I've never seen an Aqua Clear other than photos, so I don't know how that is possible unless he went in through the outlet

 

[Callie84]

They do tend to hide especially when first put in the tank or when stressed. Some bristlenoses choose to be nocturnal
As strange as it sounds the more caves, plant cover and driftwood hiding places they are given the more bold they get.
You will see more of them once they settle into their new surroundings.

If you are worried that they have jumped check around the tank , cover any escape routs and then plan a stakeout B) .
Tonight after all the lights have been off for an hour or so sneek up to the tank and use a small torch and see if they are sneaking around under the cover of darkness. Try a dull light or putting a piece of coloured cellophane over the end(red is good), coloured light is less likely to frighten them i think Its fun to check out what goes on a night anyway.

Dont forget to report back with any sightings!