The Basics

Subject: The Basics Tue Sep 21, 2010 11:42 pm

I've just bred bristlenoses for the first time. So , here goes. How young can I move the fry? At what age can you tell if they will be dark or albino? (Father is albino, mother is really dark). How old will they be before I can sex them? They all seem to be eating really well, are there any special dietry requirements I need to know about?

Subject: Re: The Basics Wed Sep 22, 2010 4:13 am

I dont recommend moving the fry til they are about 2 months old. You can move them earlier but expect some mortality, I recently had to move some at a month and I lost about 30% of them. If you are talking about selling them then i suggest 3cms minimum. the reason for the difference is that if you are going from one of your tanks to another then the water will be similar. when you sell them you have no idea what the water will be like and any big difference will shock the fry.

you can tell dark or albino almost from the egg. but if the fry are out of the cave then you can tell. if they all look dart, then they are all common.

sexing takes longer. I can sex them at about 5 months with about 60-70% accuracy, but for most people its when they mature at about 9-10 months.

They eat the same as the adults. but strear clear of excess protein as that will cause bloat. throw a bit of cucumber in there for them and they will be fine Smile

Congrads on the spawn!!! good luck with them Smile

Subject: Re: The Basics Sun Sep 26, 2010 6:53 am

I have not yet had a spawn yet but thinking forwards 'and keeping my fingers crossed' if you got a spawn of say 20 BN how long can they be in the tank until it starts causing territory issues etc?

When I got my second one 'privately' it was 5 cms

So I guess my question is can they stay in the tank up to about 5cms? or is it better to get them out youngish (2 months) and keep them separate?

Subject: Re: The Basics Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:57 pm

I normally remove mine when they are 3-4cms.

I have never ever had territory issues with young or fry yet, touch wood...

though I might now I posted it here lol...

I never remove them from the parents until at least 4 months at present, though may do shortly when I move home and set more grow out tanks up for my peppers and albino's and clown pleco Smile

Subject: Re: The Basics Mon Sep 27, 2010 12:35 am

wolverine wrote:: I have never ever had territory issues with young or fry yet, touch wood...

though I might now I posted it here lol...

I never remove them from the parents until at least 4 months at present, though may do shortly when I move home and set more grow out tanks up for my peppers and albino's and clown pleco

On that note, any tips on breeding Peppers? I've never been able to breed them, but I keep hearing that they are one of the easiest fish to breed.

Subject: Re: The Basics Sun Oct 03, 2010 12:04 am

jim.and wrote:: I normally remove mine when they are 3-4cms.

same here