Hardiness Of A Bristlenose?

[ey2006]

I'm still in the process of cycling my tank but am already planning on what types of fish to stock once cycling is complete.

I was wondering if the bristlenose pleco should be introduced first in the tank or last? How hardy are they to water conditions? I have one in my current tank (29g) and its been there right from the start, and I would have to say its probably the hardiest fish I've had so far.

If I do end up getting one and can choose which size to get, is it better to get a small one (say 3cm), a medium sized (5-6cm) or a larger one (9-10cm)? I'd like to know how long they live and if its better to get a bigger oneo as they might be hardier than younger ones?

Also, is there any way to sex juvenile bristlenoses, apart from the bristles? (since this doesn't show up until they are mature) If I could get 2, I'd love to get one male and one female.

 

[Fat Boy]

I'd wait a while before getting a BN, a couple of reasons, 1st waiting for the tank to mature is always best, 2nd allowing some time for algae to grow on rocks,wood and plants will give him/her an instant buffet to feed on.

Make sure you've got some bogwood for him to chew on, this is a must, as I'm sure you're a ware.

As for size, I'd go for the biggest your budget will allow, I've got a male that 's 6-7 inchs big that cost me £25 and he's ACE.

Sexing young BN's can be hard, but I've found females are less shy and work harder at eating algea than males for some reason, maybe it's just my BN's......

Hope this helps.

 

[ey2006]

I'd wait a while before getting a BN, a couple of reasons, 1st waiting for the tank to mature is always best, 2nd allowing some time for algae to grow on rocks,wood and plants will give him/her an instant buffet to feed on.

Make sure you've got some bogwood for him to chew on, this is a must, as I'm sure you're a ware.

As for size, I'd go for the biggest your budget will allow, I've got a male that 's 6-7 inchs big that cost me £25 and he's ACE.

Sexing young BN's can be hard, but I've found females are less shy and work harder at eating algea than males for some reason, maybe it's just my BN's......

Hope this helps.

Thanks fatboy, I already have some driftwood in there (is driftwood the same as bogwood?) i plan to feed it algae wafers to make up for a lack of algae, but waiting until the tank matures is probably best.

how long does it take for a tank to mature? or does 'mature' mean once the tank has cycled?

 

[Fat Boy]

I'm sure peoples ideas on a "mature" tank vary, some may think it takes longer than others. I'm of the opinion that a tank is mature at 6 months or there abouts. I'm not saying wait 6 months till you add the BN, but add all the things (wood, plants, decor etc. ) to the tank and let them settle in, wood often gives off tannins ( horrible colours and odours ) when 1st added to the tank, or if mopani sometimes a kind of slim, these can't be good for a fish that chews on it, can it !

I got a great bit of wisdom from someone when 1st joining this forum, only bad things happen quickly in an aquarium.

Get your new tank up and running, add some hardy fish 1st,(a few at a time) wait a while and when you're 100% sure that it's ok for the BN then add him, I'm sure you'll know when that is.

 

[Phoenixfish]

(is driftwood the same as bogwood?)

im quite sure its not, as bog wood has become soft with the conditions its found, were as drift would could be anything from soft pine to hard oak
and you cant go wrong with adding a peice anyway

 

[ey2006]

Thanks for the advice!