Are bn plecos Jumpers?

I have some open top tanks I want to put some bn plecos in and I got to thinking, they may be jumpers. So, are they? If so, can anyone recommend how low my water level would need to be to avoid problems, or other suggestions (economical, for multiple tanks).

I've used a 65 gallon tank as my bn grow out tank and have never had a bn jump out. I generally leave the water level about 1 inch from the top.

When moving fish between tanks I put my BNS in an icecream tub while they aclimatise and they will often hop out of it into the tank.

When selling on fry (about 3cm long) I often net them and temporarily put them in a floating fry saver. The larger ones sometimes hop out.

I don't think they could get over very high lip but mine have managed well over 3 cm.

I have known bristlenoses to end up on the floor and found when it was too late.Not mine personaly as all my tanks have lids,but other people have told me this.They can get out of uncovered tanks so be careful.



Bristlenoses

I have a buddy with bn Plecos too and one of his males climbs up the water return from his power filter and finds him in the filter still alive! It has happened with the same male 5-6 times now in the last few months, and my buddy had to take some screen and make a fence to keep water flowing into the tank and keep his male out of the filter. He is they only male too, so he isn't hiding or running away from anything, and water conditions are perfect and plenty of o2 in the tank. It's very strange! I have never had any problems with any of my 10 adult bn Plecos or from my couple of juvies. Keep an eye on them as it would suck to find one stuck to the carpet!
Good luck!

Hi aiden,Sometimes they think its a cool cave they have found lol and so go into it and end up in the filter.



Bristlenoses

Bristlenoses wrote:

Hi aiden,Sometimes they think its a cool cave they have found lol and so go into it and end up in the filter.



Bristlenoses

Exactly! At one time I kept hearing a strange splashing coming from my red BN tank. I'd go look and nothing. Finally I watched from the other side of the room and it was a young male determined to make his way up into a Whisper 60 via the small gap next to the intake tube. Now I not only have sponge blocking all the out flows (they will constantly climb up that neat waterfall!) but I also cram a piece on both sides of the intake tube as well.
You do want to be careful to keep them out of filters, esp if they contain any fiber or floss type media - they can get it seriously tangled in their gill spikes and it's extremely hard to free them without further injury.

Sara

Wow, thanks for all the replies and great information. So would y'all say an inch or so gap would be sufficient or do I need to devise a cover?

Kimfishepet wrote:

Wow, thanks for all the replies and great information. So would y'all say an inch or so gap would be sufficient or do I need to devise a cover?

A cover, definitely!

Sarah

I agree,the tanks need a cover.



Bristlenoses

Alright, sounds like a plan. Will get some for sure!!

Kimfishepet wrote:

I have some open top tanks I want to put some bn plecos in and I got to thinking, they may be jumpers. So, are they? If so, can anyone recommend how low my water level would need to be to avoid problems, or other suggestions (economical, for multiple tanks).

If your tanks are standard sizes, simple glass canopies are reasonably inexpensive and you can set most any type of fluorescent fixture on top of them- you don't have to buy expensive aquarium "hoods". I use glass canopies and cheap kitchen "under cabinet" fixtures for lights on almost all my tanks.

Sarah

Yes, thanks. That sound like the way to go! My topless tanks are on a rack with a shop light above them so that will work!

I know this is an old thread BUT....

BN will 'Jump' if there is little to no O2 in the water. They will jump to the surface & take a gulp of air, I have had fry jump out & hit the lid... They must need a little more practice