Should I Get A Pair Of Bristlenose?

[blackers92]

Unfortunatly my favourite fish (bristlenose) was the first of a few to succumb to a massive pH drop a few months ago, I was pretty dissapointed because she seemed to be the boss of the tank

well now that I have my stats stable once again and understand my filter better I am ready to get another one

my question is, am I better off getting a pair? they come at like 4-5cm so they are quite small and undeveloped. There will be like a 33% chance of having a male and female. I am worried that if I get two males they may get agggressive towards each other

am I better off spending more and buying one that is about two inches?

 

[Plecc]

Personally i think having a breading pair is the way to go, watching young fry develop is quite rewarding.
And if you ever end up with too many you LFS will be more than happy to buy them from you.
if you go for the larger ones you will have a much better chance of being able to identify which are male or female.
is important that they both have separate hiding holes, somewhere that they can claim as their own.
Plus they love their bog wood, i think something in the wood is an important part of there diet, or helps with digestion or something, but not 100% on that one.

 

[tom130691]

how big should the tanks be to hold 2 of these?

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Given their potential length of ~15cm, I would have thought that 120x41cm surface area (i.e a 240L/55g tank) would be the minimum for an adult pair?

 

[Inchworm]

Given their potential length of ~15cm, I would have thought that 120x41cm surface area (i.e a 240L/55g tank) would be the minimum for an adult pair?

I have mature pairs in a 55 gallon, a 30 gallon and a 29 gallon, along with other fish. Provided I do good weekly water changes and bottom vacuuming, they do quite well.

 

[blackers92]

Well I have a 37 Gallon so I think it should be alright to have two if inchworm was alright, i also do weekly water changes and gravel vaccs

when you say hiding holes, what exactly do you mean? I have a massive piece of bogwood with numerous holes, i think it is actually hollow. That my old B/N would hide in. There is enough space for a b/n and 4 yoyo loaches to live happily.. would this be alright?

thanks for all the help

 

[Plecc]

bn's tend to like having there own hole to call home especially when they become breeding adults, they can become quite territorial.
Loads of things can be used as pleco caves, terracotta tube, coconut shells, slate caves, shells, pvc pipe, bog wood, are just a few.
size is quite important, they like dark enclosed spaces just a bit wider than their bodies.
one entrance/exit is best, it helps them feel more secure and helps the male have an easier time taking care of the eggs/fry.