Hello! New to forum.

Subject: Hello! New to forum. Fri Feb 01, 2013 2:32 pm

Hello,

I'm new to this forum so thought I would say hello. I have, amongst other fish species, one male and almost definately 2 females (1 100% definate) bristlenose. The two definately sexed are around the three inch mark and SHE has been getting quite plump... more so that you would notice today - almost looked potbellied but not abnormal. They are not overfed and all the other fish and plecos are of a good weight. I am aware of bloat and am hoping this will not be the case. They are fed vegetables and fruit, they have plenty of bogwood and get algae wafers. The other fish weekly get bloodworm but there usually is none left for the plecos and we don't feed other meats. She isn't on the front glass that much so hard to see the progression. This would be the first time for them, fingers crossed for being gravid. Hoping it is not bloat!

Subject: Re: Hello! New to forum. Sat Feb 02, 2013 2:09 am

Hello

Sounds like babies may not be far off. Hello! New to forum. 1650918589

Does your male have a cave and is he spending time in it? If not, you may want to put one in for him.
You didn't say what other fish were in the tank?

Welcome to the forum, and good luck with your BN.

Sarah

Subject: Re: Hello! New to forum. Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:05 am

Subject: His caves and tank mates Sat Feb 02, 2013 9:10 am

I do hope so! cheers

He has always been a hider, there are about seven caves in the tank and plants for coverage. He had a cave but yesterday he discovered a new one whichnis under bogwood but the most unlikely piece. When he gets right in it you can see a really small edge to his tail fin. He must have burrowed slightly! - maybe he can sense what hopefully may be coming! He is a good cave protector so lets hope he will let her in.

The others in the tank so far are 11 rummynose tetras, 6 varigated and normal guppies, 3 cobra endlers and 3 other pinkish coloured endlers. The male and two female BNs, a bulldog/rubbernosed pleco who has a cave the other end of the tank and a small butterfly loach. We have a few other tanks but this is the main.

One question, if she does lay eggs, is consensous to leave them in tank with him? None of the fish are aggressive but not sure whether to take him and cave out and put them into a smaller tank, reason I ask is that I can imagine it being rather a game to catch them all in the big tank as it is large and plenty of hiding places. We all know how hard they are to catch and how well these little guys stick to things and glass!!!

Thanks drunken

Subject: Re: Hello! New to forum. Sat Feb 02, 2013 10:32 am

vizslahel wrote:: I do hope so! He has always been a hider, there are about seven caves in the tank and plants for coverage. He had a cave but yesterday he discovered a new one whichnis under bogwood but the most unlikely piece. When he gets right in it you can see a really small edge to his tail fin. He must have burrowed slightly! - maybe he can sense what hopefully may be coming! He is a good cave protector so lets hope he will let her in.

The others in the tank so far are 11 rummynose tetras, 6 varigated and normal guppies, 3 cobra endlers and 3 other pinkish coloured endlers. The male and two female BNs, a bulldog/rubbernosed pleco who has a cave the other end of the tank and a small butterfly loach. We have a few other tanks but this is the main.

One question, if she does lay eggs, is consensous to leave them in tank with him? None of the fish are aggressive but not sure whether to take him and cave out and put them into a smaller tank, reason I ask is that I can imagine it being rather a game to catch them all in the big tank as it is large and plenty of hiding places. We all know how hard they are to catch and how well these little guys stick to things and glass!!!

Thanks

Hi,
Unless you've been watching him 24/7 the deed may be done! If he stays there fanning, then you likely already have eggs.
Whether to leave him in the tank or not is up to you. The only real problem I see is with the guppies, larger females especially will eat BN babies when they emerge, although if you keep the gups well fed and provide lots of hiding (which it seems you already have) some of the Bn babies will usually survive.
You are right, catching them can be a challenge in a landscaped tank. You can however put some veg or algae wafer inside a small jar or bottle, making a baby trap. It's gentler on fragile youngsters than trying to net them. They should stay with Dad for at least a few days after they emerge as they benefit from ingesting the bacteria in his poo.
Good luck and keep us posted! You will probably be posting in the "Breeders Cave" soon. What color are your BN?
Sarah

Subject: Re: Hello! New to forum. Sat Feb 02, 2013 12:58 pm

Hi and a big warm welcome to Bristlenoseworld Hello! New to forum. 1514952399

Bristlenoses Very Happy

Subject: Re: Hello! New to forum. Sun Feb 03, 2013 12:41 pm

Thank you. Last night and a bit today the male was out of his cave and she still looks the same. The male is dark grey/black. The female is browny and the little female is browny/black with yellow spots but they ate forever changing colour. The male was very light when we got him.

I got a few rubbish pictures of her today. Her pelvis fins are pinkish where they attach to the body. Her tummy is bigger than normal but not black or green.[url][/url]