Getting a non breeding pair.

This might sound like a totally crazy question and against the grain of a lot of members. But I currently have a male Bristlenose in my tank and I am thinking of buying a female (as apparently males tend to fight with each other when introduced at different times). So I don't want them to breed . I just don't want the dramas of eggs, fry etc. Nor do I just want to keep adding tanks. Also I can't sell them for anything here in Germany so why have the expense and hassles of raising them
So I guess the question is that, if a male and female are in a tank together with lots of wood caves as I have. How easily are they to breed ???
How do I throw ice on the party so to speak ?
Or should I forget about getting a female altogether.
Marty

Where there's a will there's a way. And with bn there is limitless will lol. Basically your better off with all female or start collecting different species of bn and dwarf plecos. Oh and just to make sure you know (you probably do anyways) commons, albinos, calico, marble, L144s, super reds, green dragons and any of the longfins are all the same species.

You could get several males and keep them in your tank , i keep my extra males all together last time i counted there was 7 males in the tank together. they chase each other some times but i have had them together for almost a yr now and i have never had any of them hurt or killed.

KYANGELSNCORYS wrote:

You could get several males and keep them in your tank , i keep my extra males all together last time i counted there was 7 males in the tank together. they chase each other some times but i have had them together for almost a yr now and i have never had any of them hurt or killed.

Hi;
What size tank is it ????
Marty

kfenk wrote:

Where there's a will there's a way. And with bn there is limitless will lol. Basically your better off with all female or start collecting different species of bn and dwarf plecos. Oh and just to make sure you know (you probably do anyways) commons, albinos, calico, marble, L144s, super reds, green dragons and any of the longfins are all the same species.

That is what I thought, I just bought a Flash pleco, just because of that. I was just hoping (misplaced) that maybe I could get other Bristlenoses as they are cheap and easy to get.
But you do mention in your answer other species of bn, what are those?
I always thought that all Bristlenoses are the same species as you detailed in the later part of your answer.
Marty

bristlenoses were given that name for the exact reason the males have bristle like appendages on the front half of theyre head. Some female bn of different species also have some bristles, which can be seen in Curbys Bristlenoseworld banner at the top of the screen. Bristlenoses belong the the Genus Ancistrus and from what iv read there are 50+ species belonging the Ancistrus family. Now overseas they dont have what we call Peppermint bristlenoses here in aus as from what iv been told they are actually a mix of a couple similar species. But iv also been told they could be the L071/L181 that are available outside australia. Heres the PlanetCatfish page for Ancistrus for all your drooling needs http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/genus.php?genus_id=4 Oh and you could try pot luck and next time your at the LFS you ordered your Flash Pleco through ask them to flick through what orders you could get in just by using Ancistrus as the key word. Neva know you mite find something nice. I heard that Medusa plecos tickle some peoples fancy so if you like you could ask for one of those

If iv given out any false information, anyone feel free to correct me. I dont consider myself a professional when it comes to plecos, i just enjoy the hobby and soaking up as much information as i possibly can from wherever i can find it

Right on Karl

kfenk wrote:

bristlenoses were given that name for the exact reason the males have bristle like appendages on the front half of theyre head. Some female bn of different species also have some bristles, which can be seen in Curbys Bristlenoseworld banner at the top of the screen. Bristlenoses belong the the Genus Ancistrus and from what iv read there are 50+ species belonging the Ancistrus family. Now overseas they dont have what we call Peppermint bristlenoses here in aus as from what iv been told they are actually a mix of a couple similar species. But iv also been told they could be the L071/L181 that are available outside australia. Heres the PlanetCatfish page for Ancistrus for all your drooling needs http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/genus.php?genus_id=4 Oh and you could try pot luck and next time your at the LFS you ordered your Flash Pleco through ask them to flick through what orders you could get in just by using Ancistrus as the key word. Neva know you mite find something nice. I heard that Medusa plecos tickle some peoples fancy so if you like you could ask for one of those

If iv given out any false information, anyone feel free to correct me. I dont consider myself a professional when it comes to plecos, i just enjoy the hobby and soaking up as much information as i possibly can from wherever i can find it

Thank you that is awesome information. I thought that most Ancistrus where made equally.
I was just worried that the bristlenose I have (Species unknown, it is my avatar). Might see other Ancistrus as equal and will potentially fight if male and breed with if female.
Over the years of keeping different types of fish I have discovered that even thought they are from different species (Mollies and Swordtails in freshwater or different species of Clown fish in Marine) they will still breed.
I just want to be certain as I don't like making hybrids as I don't think that is good for the hobby. Plus I just don't want to breed them for the reasons given earlier.
But I will take your advice to heart and see my LFS, as these guys are just so dam cute and I want more of them.
Marty

thats a good ansewer , very well said