Clumsy Bristlenose

TomShootsPhoto · Jan 21, 2012

Omg, that's exactly what happened....

Now the guest just lays in my QT tank... :-(

The quest was a 4.5 inch male, I tought that because of the size nothing would happen... The second I put it in, my BN immediately attacked. I could take the guest out, they where fighting soo badly....

Is this a female BN?

If yes, mine is DEFINITELY a male!

nurglespuss · Jan 21, 2012

looks female to me if its 4.5"

yes it looks like your bristlenose has established the tank as his territory.

You 'can' remove him and house him seperatley for a while, an totally rearrange the tank, then reintroduce him and see how he behaves.

TomShootsPhoto · Jan 21, 2012

The picture above is a google pic, mine is bigger and has a lot of these things on the head....

I don't think i'll be able to rehouse him, as when i walk up to the tank it immediately starts swimming around fast, and then hides....

I had to take out my angel too, just recently he tried to get some slime coat... He became really agressive!! I threw a couple of pellets in, but he doesn't eat!

I don't know what I should do!

TomShootsPhoto · Jan 21, 2012

Update:

He chases my loaches around, and doesn't stop. For 10 minutes I've been trying to catch him, but it's simply impossible!!! :crazy:

(I am a good fish catcher, i have to catch my angel every week, so yeah!) I even tried to chase him so he jumps out of the tank, but with no succes!! MY loaches are hard to remove too, when i put the net infront of them, they simply swim around it!

Help please!!

Tips?

nurglespuss · Jan 21, 2012

use two nets, it looks like your bristlenose has claimed the tank entirely, not much you can do, either let him keep it (and see if he ignores the likes of danios and other fast swimmers in the future) or rehome him.

Nothings else to be done sorry!

TomShootsPhoto · Jan 21, 2012

I now have a hurt clown loach without a caudal fin, another one without an anal fin.... and my BN in the QT tank.

The two net idea didn't work eather. I heard the bell ring, and i had to let go of them, when i got back the loaches where hurt, and the BN wasn't moving. So i quickly got him... Wow.

Now, with all my fish nearly dead, I am really sad :sad:

(The guest was delivered back to my friend, it's really tired but seems ok)

bristlenoseitplecoman · Jan 21, 2012

keep him in the quarantine tank for a while. I agree that he is asserting his dominance. When i didn't know anything about fish I had one in a 10 gallon with 2 cories. He would attack them and I didn't like it either. I got a 55 Gallon after a while and he still chases away the other fish away from his food but they can get away from him now and they are barely scared of him. If he tries to chase my 6 cories they barely move away. After a while in the big tank he has calmed down and is ok with other catfish. I think yours might be going through a juvenile stage in his life where he is angry with alot and is trying to make himself dominant now that he doesn't have another BN pleco to share it with.

TomShootsPhoto · Jan 21, 2012

Yeah, thats the only answer. One of my loaches is almost dead, it just lays on the bottom of the tank since it can't swim. :sad:

I am looking for a bigger tank... Thanks for your answer!

TomShootsPhoto · Jan 22, 2012

Ok, I completely reorganized the tank and fed him well. Now he hides behind the filter. My other fishes are fine too.

Thanks for your help!!

moochy13 · Jan 22, 2012

in such a small tank there isnt enough room for so many bottom dwelling fish. the BN you have left obviously decided he was now big enough to boss everything about. until you upgrade you souldnt put anything else in, not just because of the aggression, but also the tank size. take those clown loach back to the shop unless you intend on buying 4 more and a 6 foot tank, and the BN might calm down a bit.

Aqua Tom · Jan 22, 2012

TomShootsPhoto said:
<>

The picture above is a google pic, mine is bigger and has a lot of these things on the head....

A male BN has bristles on his head/nose, a female does not.

Tom

TomShootsPhoto · Jan 22, 2012

moochy13 said:
in such a small tank there isnt enough room for so many bottom dwelling fish. the BN you have left obviously decided he was now big enough to boss everything about. until you upgrade you souldnt put anything else in, not just because of the aggression, but also the tank size. take those clown loach back to the shop unless you intend on buying 4 more and a 6 foot tank, and the BN might calm down a bit.

Wow, i didn't know that you need 6 in a tank... I am looking for a new tank tough.

Aqua Tom said:
A male BN has bristles on his head/nose, a female does not.

Tom

Thanks, mine is a male than!

moochy13 · Jan 22, 2012

lots of fish are shoaling fish, including clown loaches. to keep them happy and acting naturally, these types of fish should be in groups of no less than 6, preferably more. and when they get nearly a foot long each, you understand why they need a huge tank. i promise you, if you dont buy a 6 foot tank, then you shouldnt have clown loaches. and angel should also be in a tank at least 2 feet tall.

The Taffy Apple · Jan 22, 2012

Why do you catch your Angel each week? Do you remove it for every water change?
Sorry i cant answer anything about your BN plec , I'd live one but my tank would also be too small.

Terry.