Community Ancistrus

[New Boy]

I have one almost fully grown male albino bristlenose and I'm taking my sisters smaller male bristlenose off her hands (they spent some time together recently in my sisters tank whilst I was refurbishing mine and seemed to get along - even shared cucumber)...I'm a little concerned that a shopkeeper at my lfs said that this is not a good idea as two males will fight to the death - is that right? Practical fishkeeping seems to regularly suggest keeping two or three ancistrus together when your tank is mid-sized.

My tank is 190 litres (juwel trigon 190)

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

 

[littleme1969]

I have one almost fully grown male albino bristlenose and I'm taking my sisters smaller male bristlenose off her hands (they spent some time together recently in my sisters tank whilst I was refurbishing mine and seemed to get along - even shared cucumber)...I'm a little concerned that a shopkeeper at my lfs said that this is not a good idea as two males will fight to the death - is that right? Practical fishkeeping seems to regularly suggest keeping two or three ancistrus together when your tank is mid-sized.

My tank is 190 litres (juwel trigon 190)

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Lfs owner was right in a way.. but I dont think it applies to your issue.
If you get 2 males of equal size and strength, stick them in a tank at the same time with females present, yes they would have a good go until one either backed down or was seriously injured.
As your plec is already the dominant fish and also larger, I would suspect there might be the odd spat of showing who is boss, but after that all would be calm and they would probably appreciate the company They are generally very peacfull fish, and fun to have too. I have approx 100 breeding in a 95g and a 35g.. Albionos/Golds and common browns. I rarly see any agreesion as pecking order is establised as they grow and form breeding pairs.
All I would suggest is make sure you add food at either ends of your tank, so each fish can have his own cucumber/wafers until you are happy they are settled together.

 

[dartan]

From what I've heard, you should provide plenty of caves, and that bristlenoses migkt have "mild territorial disputes".Let me know if im wrong