New tank what and how many bristlenose

Hi all

I am just about to setup my new tank which is a 6x2x2 running a Fluval FX5.

I love Bristlenose (in fact all Pleco's) i am planning on some Peppermint (Starlight's) too start with but i am wondering how many different types of Bristlenose can i keep in this size tank and what types will live together?

all of the different species will live together. What you need to watch is the number of males. I suggest going with one male per 1.5 square feet of tank bottom. That would mean roughly 8 males, then up to two female per male. However, do not expect to see much breeding like this.

Hey Doug

Thanks for the reply, i would like too breed these little guys do you think this will be ok

peppermints 1xm 2xf or 3xf
Marble BN 1xm 2 or 3 x f?
maybe a pair of clowns and a pair of tigers (to grow up)
Lionhead Cichlids 1xm and 3xf

Not an expert on stock levels, I go with the less is more approach. You probably want to start with this though: interbreeding acticle

That way you can decide what crosses would be interesting/attractive. I guess after that its down to making sure that each male has enough space and a cave so that there's not too much bickering.

I have massive tank envy! Clowns are awesome but would ideally have the tank to themselves and a minimum shoal size of 6. I don't think its really fair to deprive them of their natural social behaviors.

well, the issue here is that you will find one dominant male and he will generally be bossy with the caves. If you give them enough choice though you may be able to get them to breed. What you will probably find is that the peps will be the bossiest and the ones that breed. The others may give it a shot but no unless the male pep is otherwise engaged and at the other end of the tank

The next issue you will face will be the lionheads as they will smash the fry as soon as they leave the cave. so you will need to look at fry savers and grow out tanks for the babies.

Hey Doug thanks for that

I was planning to have a selection of caves up either end of the tank and some in the middle making individual areas (If possible). I was planning on Fry savers, at what size will the bristle babies be safe from the Lion heads?

about 4cms if they are anything like my americans, they will be too big for fry savers by then