Bristlenose

[ladyoutlaw50]

I just love my little bristlenose --- I am wondering how hard they are to breed and what size tank you would need if attempted. Also how do you tell male from female:18:

[Fishalicious]

They are very easy to breed.... male and female together that are pampered and fed well add a little home for them and within no time you will have a tank full :c2:

Males have bristles on their nose and females don't - how easy is that :19:

[toddnbecka]

Not too difficult to breed, a 20-30 gallon tank would be large enough for an established pair. When mature males have long bristles on their nose, females have none or very few, much smaller bristles than makes. Like cichlids, best bet is to get 4-5 juvies and separate after a pair forms.

[ladyoutlaw50]

OK -- I have decided on my next tank!!! Thanks!!!:19:
I am going to do a 20 gallon -- think that will be ok -- I am very excited --LOL
will keep you all posted when I get going on this tank ---
my bf can't believe that 4 tanks is not enough LOL -- I already have plans for 3 more!! LOL

[Jacolene]

Very Very Easy fish to breed! I started my 12 gal tank with 1 male 1 female 6 months ago and just had to upgrade to a 43.5gal tank because these buggers spawn every 3 weeks.

Receipe for breeding:
*Lots of caves (preferably with just one entrance and in a darker spot of the tank) The male traps the female in there intil she spawned, he looks after the eggs and guard them for 7-10 days till hatched and then another 7-10 days while the feed on their egg sack and become free swimming. Just leave him alone and do NOT disturb as the do tend to kick their eggs out if stressed!

*A big piece of drift or Bog wood, they rasp on it and the babies will latch onto that as soon as they leave the cave. It helps with their digestive system. It will change your water color a little but the fish loves it and it won't harm anything!

*Lots of hide aways for the fry or a breeder net if you have fish that might eat them.

*Do a 25 - 50% water change at least once a week

*Peas or other soft vedgies for the fry to eat as soon as their egg sacks are gone, mine loves peas (cooked and shelled) and butternutpumpkin (cooked and about a cube 1cm x 1cm for about 50 fry) Also feed your adaults vedgies 2 - 3 times a week.
Ps: Peas help with constipation in these fish too.

And as all the rest of the members has said: Easy to sex, males have bristles and females don't.

You might like to check out [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] There are heaps of info on there and it is free to register. Just a thought.