BN questions

[drag13honda]

Hello. I just picked up 5 BNs today. I have two larger ones (still not huge). One is showing traces of the bristles, the other is round. I'm thinking i have a M/F here. Are there any other ways to know? What size do they normally start to show bristles? When are they ready to breed? What kind of caves have everyone had success with and where did you purchase them?

Thanks, Matt

[grant]

My male LF bristles usually start to show at around 3.5+ inches TL. Some of my Short fin ones start showing aroung 2.5. The males will have bristles that grow along the nose/face and up on top of the nose. I have some females that show some bristles but they stay pointing down and do not grow up the face. Not sure this make any senseroflmao

They should be of breeding age around a year to year and a half.

[drag13honda]

I have two that are getting decent size. I'm never good with guessing what size they are. One of them looks like a female (nice round body) and the other is starting to develop bristles.

I have no idea on their ages. :(

[h0ngkn0t2]

Build square caves out of slate tile... about 2" wide by 6" deep. Khrister has pictures of how to build them on his page... I just followed the instructions and built me three of them... my BN love it. :D

[drag13honda]

What is the test for slate? Is it vinegar? I know you soak it in something to see if it bubbles.

[drag13honda]

Do BNs really NEED driftwood? I have read they don't need it but like it, however

[Haiven]

Some plecos must have driftwood to stay healthy. BNs do not require it, but they like it so much you ought to get some, even a small piece. Mine are always in, on or under the driftwood.

[iron]

My male LF bristles usually start to show at around 3.5+ inches TL. Some of my Short fin ones start showing aroung 2.5. The males will have bristles that grow along the nose/face and up on top of the nose. I have some females that show some bristles but they stay pointing down and do not grow up the face. Not sure this make any senseroflmao

They should be of breeding age around a year to year and a half.


ahaha mine bred really young. The eggs didnt take, but there was plenty of eggs until the female ate them all. shoot maybe 4 months old.

[EAST_TX_RN]

ahaha mine bred really young. The eggs didnt take, but there was plenty of eggs until the female ate them all. shoot maybe 4 months old.

I bet it was the male, Iron.

[drag13honda]

What would be a good alternative to algae wafers to feed them? The BNs will munch on the algae wafers but never finish them up and leaves me with a nice mushy mess to clean up. I'd like to find something cleaner to feed them that will be easier to clean up. Thanks, Matt

[Dr. Awkward]

What about zucchini? Most fish and snails love it.

[drag13honda]

Don't you have to blanch it (sorry if that isnt the right word)? How do you do that?

[Dr. Awkward]

Cut it up and stick it in boiling water for about 20 seconds. Pull it out and rinse it in cold water, pop it in the tank. I don't think you have to blanch it first but it does help soften it up.

You might also want to weight it down with a clip or some plant weights. That way it will be easier to clean up the remnants.

[Typical Tony]

i usually dont blanch it.

i find that if you blanch it, it will mush up faster in the water and eventually looks like crap after awhile.