bristlenose catfish
- Thread starter bluefire
- Start date
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grimlock3000
Aquarium Advice Addict
Hopefully a long time. Mine has grown about half an inch in 5 months, I would hate to think it is full grown at barely 3.5 inches 
madasafish
Aquarium Advice Addict
It really depends. Most "plecos" (such as the bristlenose Ancistrus species) can take a really long time to grow. I've had a Queen Arabesque (Hypancistrus sp. L-260) for 7 months and she has only grown about a centimeter. Other "plecos" (such as the common Hypostomus plecostomus) that grow larger may grow at a much more rapid pace, and put on an inch in a couple of months.
It also depends on diet. If you let them graze on your algae only, they'll grow more slowly. If you supplement their diet with veggies and occasional protein-rich morsels, they'll grow more quickly.
It also depends on diet. If you let them graze on your algae only, they'll grow more slowly. If you supplement their diet with veggies and occasional protein-rich morsels, they'll grow more quickly.
madasafish
Aquarium Advice Addict
That's probably right. Protein will do it. Ancistrus species like a moderately protein-rich diet. Roughly 22% is good for them, according to Larry Vires on Planetcatfish.com.
Species from the Hypancistrus genus, such as the Queen Arabesques I have *prefer* protein, as they're primarily carnivorous.
Hikari makes a great "sinking wafer" for bottom feeders like Cories and Loaches that prefer a little more meat in their diet. I feed these to my Hypancistrus and Zonancistrus species now to supplement their diet. I'm thinking I'll put a little chicken in the tank for a couple of hours sometime soon to see how they react to real meat! I know Vampire Plecs like meat. I'm a veggie, so this would really be a big step for me!
Species from the Hypancistrus genus, such as the Queen Arabesques I have *prefer* protein, as they're primarily carnivorous.
Hikari makes a great "sinking wafer" for bottom feeders like Cories and Loaches that prefer a little more meat in their diet. I feed these to my Hypancistrus and Zonancistrus species now to supplement their diet. I'm thinking I'll put a little chicken in the tank for a couple of hours sometime soon to see how they react to real meat! I know Vampire Plecs like meat. I'm a veggie, so this would really be a big step for me!
I assume males and females grow at slightly different rates.. I didn't realize that the female bristlenose doesn't really have the bristles.. similar to how female swordtails don't have sword tails. I also didn't realize there were so many different types of Ancistrus. I have no clue what time I have. Mine has little white dots and the tips of his fins are reddish orange.
Bluefire what does yours look like?
Bluefire what does yours look like?
