The Male
The Bristlenose Plecostomus, some facts
The bristlenose, sometimes called the bushynose,
plecostomus is a member of the family Loricariidae. These are
the "suckermouth catfish". Bristlenose are from the genus
"Ancistrus".
The telltale sign of a bristlenose is the bristles or tentacles on
the nose of the fish. The males have the longer bristles. The
body of the fish is protected by "armour". A bony substance
covering the outer part of the fish, except for the stomach area.
Bristlenose also have a "round" mouth when compared to
other plecostomus.
The bristlenose catfish has an array of sensory organs. First is
the eye, containing a "flap" that can close as light intesity
increases. There is not another family of fish that has this. The
eye is on "top" of the head and can only look upward. This
does not aid in finding food, but the fish has other senses for
this. The bristlenose has a very small swimbladder consisting
of 2 sections connected by a small tube. There are 2 bones
very close to the swimbladder that vibrate when sounds are in
the water and this acts as an inner ear for the pleco.
The lateral line runs down tghe side of the body and very
close to their "inner ear". This also helps sense things in the
water.
The bristlenose have a very high level of "taste" as they are
covered from head to tail with "tastebuds". The mouth is even
more sensitive to taste.
The bristlenose is able to take in oxygen in two ways. First by
passing oxygen rich water over the gill plates, and secondly by
swallowing air and obsorbing the oxygen through a section in
the intestine. They can thus "gulp" air from the surface in some
of the dry season when water levels are low and oxygen
deficient, or in very muddy streams during the rainy season.
Bristlenose have a very long intestinal tract to absorb nutrients.
The covering on the bristlenose also serves as "camoflauge"
to blend the pleco into its surroundings to protect it from
predators.
Bristlenose are found in many areas of South America,
ranging in water temperatures of 70F to 90F. They are found in
a wide area, approximately 60 times the size of the United
Kingdom.
Bristlenose mainly eat algae. Spawning generally occurs
during the rainy season, when food and oxygen are plentiful.
Bristlenose also like to search for food in groups. Sometimes
the first plecos in the group stir up the mud that is covering the
algae and others follow the cleaned area to feed.
Feeding the fish can be done by using algae pellets, peas or
sliced zucchini that has been blanched or cooked in boiling
water for a couple minutes and then the shells of the peas
removed. Once a week a bit of protein can be fed either with
"catfish wafers" or some blood worms.
Spawning "triggers" are sometimes a water change with
"cooler" water. Extra aeration may also help. The male will find
a cave to take up residence, mate with the female and then he
will watch over the spawn and guard it.
Ardan
references
"Bristlenoses, Catfish with Character" by Kathy Jinkings
"Exotic Tropical Fishes" by Dr. Axelrod, Dr. Emmens, Dr.
Sculthorpe, Mr. Vordrwinkler, and Mr. Pronek, TFH Publications
The first pic is of a female bushynose pleco
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The Male
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Ardan,
Excellent work.
Paul
Comfortably numb.
Great information.
I would like to add they are not aggressive towards other fish. You can put them in with small fish of any type. I raise BN (very easy compared to angels or rams) and I keep 4 or 5 small ones (1" or less) in my fry tanks to clean the bottom. They are predominantly veggie eaters, but in the fry tanks they eat the microworms or bbs so nothing is left to foul the tank. They leave even new free swimers alone and I've put them in with as young as 2 day free swimmers.
Interesting post. I will be getting a few BN's for tank cleaning and wondered how many people usually put in a discus tank? Is there a general rule like 1 for each 10gals or something similer? I just need enough to keep slime off the walls and help with what little uneaten food there is after feedings. Do BN's need driftwood in there diet like the reg pleco's? I already have some algea pellets for them and from what I've read that, along with the protien from the discus leftovers, should be all they need, right?
Kacey
Bristlenose do benefit from a small piece of driftwood like most plecs.
What about having them with pairs? Would they eat eggs?
Eat. Sleep. School. Water Changes.
-Matt-
Thank you for the kind words.
I have read that males each need at least 10 gallons space, preferably more.
I have never kept them with other fish so don't know for sure about the eggs.
Ardan
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Yes, they love fish eggs!Originally Posted by DiscusStudent
Mike Witek
Napa CA
If you buy a few juvies at 1" to 2", how long till they will show breeding behavior and then be able to reproduce?
Kacey
Parents should be able to keep them away from eggs. I've read where one breeder who says he has one in every breeder tank.
Originally Posted by Greg Richardson
If you do it, make sure to leave the lights on--
Mike Witek
Napa CA
I have 3 albino bushynose (3 to4 inches) in my 65 Gal tank and they keep it nice and clean. They don't bother my plant neither.
Kam
I keep bushynose plecos in every breeding tank. Never had them come close to the eggs.
They are also in my grow out tanks, of course. They get no driftwood and 99.9999% of their diet is beef and fish. Once every month or so, I'll remember to toss in an algae wafer.
Willie
Willie can you tell me your reasons behind that?They get no driftwood
Thanks!
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