New Babies -How'd that happen?

No, I don't need the birds and bees explained, but thanks for thinking of it.     I've had the bristle nose (1 male, 2 females) for about 10 months since they were about 1-1 1/2 inches long.  I have them in a 20g long with plastic plants, artificial rock caves, blue gravel and 2 fantail goldfish (3" each).  I've had fish for about 10 or more years and have raised guppy fry, pretty straight-forward.  I'm unfortunately not regular with my water changes (light vacuuming) and do about 25-50% every 3-4 weeks or so along with carbon/ammonia filter changes.  I feed the goldfish New Life Spectrum 3mm sinking pellets (which the BN sometimes get) and weekly put in a Hikari Algae wafer under the plants where the goldfish can't get it.  I wasn't even considering BN would breed under these conditions.  But now I see fry today and dad is protecting the rock cave.  I put an algae wafer in there with him and the fry, along with another in the regular spot for the females and fed the gold fish a little more.  So my question is...I was planning to do a water change today but if changing water parameters is so threatening to the fry, is it ok if I do say, 10% every 3 days or so?  I realize I may lose all the fry anyway just because my water condition isn't ideal or because I have some goldfish looking for little "candy bars" but want to at least try to help them if I can.  They're so darn cute!! I will try harder now to be more consistent with water changes, knowing I have 2 happy suckers.  

I've read many of the posts here and everyone has been so helpful.  I'm going to have to read up on the L numbers next.  Lynda

well you see, when a man fish loves a lady fish very much... 

I would suggest getting some test kits and looking at the water parameters you have in the tank now. this will give you a good starting point for basing your next decision on.

It sounds like, even though you only have a few fish in there that the water parameters are ok, especially as you use the carbon and ammonia filters. Not my personally recommended way of maintain a fish tank but if it aint broke dont fix it.

I would however, suggest changing to a more regular water change method now you have fry. you will be amazed at how fast they grow and how quickly they can muck with a tanks water parameters. your suggestion of 10% every few days would be good, i'd suggest more like 20% every three days.

Good luck

I'm still laughing at your first line in your reply....
So I checked the water parameters before and after a 20% change this morning.  Ammonia and Nitrites at 0 but I'm embarrassed :oops:to say Nitrates were around 60 before and about 30 after.  And I hadn't put in a replacement carbon/ammonia filter last time I changed water, must have forgotten, so it was just the sponge filter.  Temp at about 77F after the change and stays pretty constant.  Thanks for your help and advice.  I'll try to do better now.  Lynda

The best way to keep nitrates low is to have real plants. Start with easy ones, like water lettuce or some anubias if you don't have good light. Also, plants help you control algies.
Another thing, you mentioned that you keep goldfish. You better off with bigger tank. Not only for your fish sake, but you'll be surprised how much easier it is to maintain and control.

haha cant keep real plants in that tank. not with goldfish lol. congrats on your first bristlenose bubs  
Just be watchful of those goldfish. they may look dumb but you can loose a lot of fry to them if your not careful

kfenk wrote:

haha cant keep real plants in that tank. not with goldfish lol.

No comprendo, hombre.
Last time I had the gold fish was over 25 years ago. In planted tank. What has changed since then?

Thanks.  After reading up a bit, anubias is one that's recommended for a planted goldfish tank and also easy to grow.  I do have a good spectrum light in there.  Looks like my kind of plant.  Yesterday about 5 of the fry were out of the cave and dad even came out briefly.  We looked around the tank with a light and found a total of about 10 fry, 1/2-3/4" long.  One of the goldfish does seem interested in the area where the fry are hiding, but the plant is a little sharper on top.  So long as the fry stay under, (where the algae wafer is) they should be ok for a while.  I have a guppy fry net about 8"x6"x5", any thoughts on moving the fry in there as I am able to catch them?  Best way to catch them?  Will the female BN eat the fry?  Have a good day!  Lynda

anubias and java fern can go with goldies as a matter of fact at work i have them in the plant tank with no plant eating or tearing

So I got some test strips and confirmed I have really hard water (300ppm) and that the alkalinity is high (300ppm) and the pH is 8.4. Can anyone explain what the alkalinity relates to? (I have a biology major but it's not clicking in my head.   )In addition to the Nitrites/Ammonia both at 0 and Nitrates down to about 10ish after 15% water changes every other day. I also added 2 anubias barteri plants 3 days ago (thanks for the recommendation). Still have at least 5 fry at any time I am counting. Attached (or tried) picture showing the cave (not actually chosen by me to breed plecos, but they liked it). If you look closely inside the cave you can see one of the fry on the back wall. Otherwise they are hiding out in/under the clump of plants on the front right corner. Lynda

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwqM1a0mnCCTdWhGemZjMGdQcEk/edit?usp=sharing

the hardness and the alkalinity are both measures of how much 'stuff' is in the water, mainly different salts. Bristlenose hate salts, well, above and beyond what they need to survive. seems to affect the babies more than the adults.

I am no expert on fish, but your temperature seems a little low. I personally keep my take at the high end of the spectrum 82 to 84 and my fish love it.

for the fish he has (goldfish and bristlenose) its spot on

well, its a touch too warm for ideal for goldfish and 1 degree C cooler than what is considered to be optimal for bristlenose but compromises need to be made

Goldfish prefer about 68 degrees as a high mark and can go down to the high 30's.  They are a cold water fish and prefer it cool.   In the summer time I add those ice packets to help keep my tank temp down for him so he stays happy.

I have a 40 gallon tank that I have set up for my goldfish who is about a 14 months old now.   He is about 7 inches long and loving life.


Bristlenoses are 75 to 81 degrees preferred range.   So at 77, the bristles are probably content, and the goldfish puts up with it as they are more than capable of doing, but they would be much happier 10 degrees cooler than that.

The goldfish will also enjoy eating your bristlenose fry as well.  They will eat anything and everything they can get in their mouths.    My Goldfish, Steve, enjoys eating shrimp that are an inch in size.