heartsongsinger

If I have a breeding pair of bristle noses what is the best thing to give them to lay their eggs in?

Allie

They like to breed in things like this, breeding caves or cones. Mine bred in the cones. Make sure you have lots of salt free can green beans baby bns LOVE them.
http://www.karmafarmaquatics.net/plecocaves.html

mathas

They like "caves" that are just big enough around for the female to fit into, and blocked off at one end. A length of PVC tubing or a tile cave such as these tend to work very well.

To quote a good article from PlanetCatfish:

heartsongsinger

So them a ghost tube with one end pushed against the tank wall will work? for those of you who don't know a ghost tube is a semi-transparent tube that fish can't see out of.

Allie

Probably not, but I think they like the darkness. They lay the eggs at the very end of the cone so it needs a bottom.

heartsongsinger

what about a cave? I have a decoration that looks like some rock slabs that have fallen together to create a shelter.

Butterfly

1) This is what my Bristlenose liked to spawn in
2) the fry hatched well in them also.
Dino and Ross had great luck with theirs spawning in the crack of a huge piece of driftwood I gave them. I think the hole/cave being a close fit is what qualifies it for a good breeding place. I have a book on raising bristlenose and this is their recommendation also.
carol

Attached Images

	male bristlenose 1.jpg (70.9 KB, 9 views)
	BN 1 day wigglers.jpg (52.7 KB, 9 views)

musicman4567

The problem with ghost tubes and the like is that they are smooth on the inside. It's gotta be somewhat textured in order for the eggs to stick. What I've done is just taken a clay pot and plate (the bottom part), siliconed them together and cut a hole in the bottom with my dremel. Cheap and works well. cost about $3.00 to get going. Just make sure and keep the clay wet when you are cutting so it doesn't crack.

heartsongsinger

ya we don't have a dremel but I could put in a plate under this cave I have. Also how can I be sure that they have mated?

Butterfly

You will be able to shine a light inside and see the eggs Mom will leave after laying the eggs and Dad will stay with them.
Carol

heartsongsinger

ok. right now they push themselves flush against the top of the cave when there is light. If I don't turn on a light once it gets dark and then I go in and turn on the light I see them for about a minute

musicman4567

You will be able to see a large pile of eggs stuck to it somewhere. Also, the daddy will stick his tail out of the cave and wag it and his anal fins in order to aerate them. The tail poking out is usually a sign that there are eggs in there. Another way to cut it without a dremel (though not as easy) is to score it with a knife and then chisel it away with very light touch. Don't hit too hard or it will crack, and keep it wet!