My Bristlenose Always Die

[fatrockmonkey]

Hi all.

Your expert advise would be greatly appreciated...

I have a 280L tank that has a range of fish (bala shark - 2yr in tank and 6inch, sucking cats 7months in tank, snails - 7 months and spanner barbs - 4 months) and every time i introduce a bristlenose it lasts about 2 weeks and then dies. I have been through 4 fish now and need assistance to rectify the issue. This is a recent problem as previously I had kept many BN alive for at least 18 months.

The tanks consists of...
1/2 inch pea shingle
over tank filtration (carbon and matting)
2x 8 inch airstones
Good water flow through filter breaking surface well.
No in-tank furniture. Its all been removed to try any identify the problem.

There was a time when I has an algae problem but that now is under control except for some small areas of long black algae. It was bought under control with a full clean 10 weeks ago (but not a full stripdown)

the PH is 7 and the hardness and ammonia are normal according to my test kits.

I change about 10-20% of the water every two weeks and that water is conditioned, temperature normalised, PH balanced and some salts added. I change the filtration every month or so. I have never changed the noodles but have changed the carbon.

This is really frustrating as it is only the bristlenoses that are dying. The other fish all seem to be in good condition and are very active at feeding.

I thought that the problem was that the rocks that were in the tank and / or the driftwood, so i removed them. Previously the rocks and driftwaood were in the tank when I was managing to keep the bristlenoses alive.

I did once have a problem with intestinal parasites in the bala shark but that looks to have been treated with fluke and tapeworm treatment. That was about 9 months ago.

I feed all the fish in the tank with either flake, bloodworm and / or pellets.

Im at my wits end. My local aquarium has suggested its the local water but Im not convinced as I have been very careful testing when changing.

Help please

DaveK

 

[fishyfeet]

The require a mature tank with plenty of algae, and bogwood, you can suppliment their diet with fresh veg. Had my bristlenose pair for years and they breed often. Dont clean the glass ever it seems to be the new growth of algae they prefer. They dont touch hair algae or black algae, di

 

[WILDER]

Can you post your water stats please in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.
Did the plecs show any symtoms before death.
Did they look skinny or bloated.
Were they feeding well.

 

[electric yellow]

Do you drop algea wafers in or pellets in at all for them to munch on?

I drop some in every couple of days just before i turn the light off so they come and get it. The love pushing them around as much as eating them. We started with four but now only have three. We inherited a 4yr old who seen out her last few months here.

 

[fatrockmonkey]

Thanks for the very prompt reply guys

The tank was only given a full clean when the BN could not keep up with the aglae growth...and have not cleaned the glass since as the suckers are cleaning well. The BN were going well too until it died. Before the clean they were still dying shortly after being introduced.

The PH is 7 and the ammonia is showing as "harmless" with my test kit. I dont carry out nitrite or nitrate testing as I was told that regular water changes would keep that under control...but I will look at getting the kits to confirm / eliminate those.

Cheers

Dave

 

[WILDER]

Take a sample of your water to the lfs and ask them to write the readings down for you.
I would invest in some liquid test kits.
How often do you do a gravel vac.

 

[fatrockmonkey]

Take a sample of your water to the lfs and ask them to write the readings down for you.
I would invest in some liquid test kits.
How often do you do a gravel vac.

Gravel vac every water change.

 

[WILDER]

I would get your water tested as bn are very sensitive.
Until we know water stats its hard to say why they died.

 

[Schmill]

I have a 280L tank that has a range of fish (bala shark - 2yr in tank and 6inch, sucking cats 7months in tank, snails - 7 months and spanner barbs - 4 months) and every time i introduce a bristlenose it lasts about 2 weeks and then dies. I have been through 4 fish now and need assistance to rectify the issue. This is a recent problem as previously I had kept many BN alive for at least 18 months.

I change about 10-20% of the water every two weeks and that water is conditioned, temperature normalised, PH balanced and some salts added. I change the filtration every month or so. I have never changed the noodles but have changed the carbon.

Hi,

What is the reason you are adding salts? Do you know what salt concentration you currently have in the tank?
I was under the impression that neither Pleco's or Catfish appreciated salt in the water do to being scaleless...

 

[fishyfeet]

I think they are fine in small amounts of salt, but since salt doesnt leave the tank other than by water changes it could build up and when your adding a new plec it hasnt acclimatised to the salinity. di

 

[petertr]

3 things that first lept to mind:

Salt - Don't think BNs like salt

Lack of Bogwood - BNs really need this

Water stats - from a good liquid test please

 

[malakye]

I was under the impression BNs need bogwood to aid digestion.

 

[fatrockmonkey]

Hi all,

Here is an update

The BN when they died were bloated. Before they die they shake and appear to lose boyancy.

The Nitrite level is 0.1 and the nitrate is 40ppm

Any more suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

[Tacklebury]

Salt is a no go. Do a 50% water change twice in a week to remove it!!!

I persoanlly never do a gravel vac. My corys and shrimp seem to keep the gravel clean.

Add lots of places for them to hide. They will need to chill out when you add them so don't expect to see them for a while.

 

[WILDER]

Have you been over feeding as you have a slight nitrite reading.
I would do a water change.
Bloating up and unable to maintain balance is swim bladder.
What do you feed your fish.

Tackllebury you need to be doing gravel vacs you can get bad bacteria pockets in your tank.
You should be doing a gravel vac once a week.
I remove oranments to do a gravel vac so debris dosn't build up underneath them.

http/www.flippersandfins.net/SwimbladderDisease.htm