Feeding a Bristlenose

[Fishy Steve]

I would like to supplement my Bristlenose Pleco's diet with algae wafers, but my Swordtail and two Mollies eat them before the Pleco can get any. Suggestions?

 

[Fishobsessed7]

Do you have a cave or something that the Pleco can fit in that the other fish can't?

If there is a place where the Pleco likes to hang out, you could put the wafer there, right before lights out.


Fishobsessed7

3 tanks and counting! (6 if you count the bettas)

 

[Fishy Steve]

Pretty much anywhere the Pleco goes, the other fish go too. I'll try the other option though. Thanks!

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[ScotJudd]

Hi. My bristle nose is by far the largest fish in the tank and is frightened of his own shadow. It's embarrassing ?. Even the cherry shrimp climb on him. But he is still healthy and growing after a year and a half. He lives in a cave and is never seen until late evening. I drop an algae wafer near his cave after lights out and I can see him feeding as the room lights just give enough light. The tank glass algae is stripped away and as he is the only algae eater he must be grazing at night. He's a fascinating addition to the tank and part of the overall Eco system but not part of the 'show'. Give your BN places to hide and feed at night and he'll be dead happy!


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[Toad]

Drop them in at night after lights out, he'll find them. Driftwood is also very good for them, having a nice chunk of that helps, plus they love to use it to hide out in

 

[Fishy Steve]

I've also heard of feeding blanched peas and zucchini to a bristle nose. Does anyone else do that? And will it be a problem for my other fish? Thanks.

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[shellyx]

My bnp loved blanched cucumber, I use to drop a slice in at night for her and remove leftovers in the morning.

55 gallon elephant nose tank.
30 gallon vampire shrimp, green lace shrimp and snails.

 

[thing fish]

you can take a piece of zucchini or cucumber cut lengthwise and spear it with a fork to sink it on the bottom at lights out. then remove it in the morning. i would scrape away the larger seeds first because they can be a nuisance. you can also try all sorts of other veggies like this.

 

[Fishy Steve]

One more bristle nose question. How often would you recommend supplementing their diet? There's not a ton of algae growing in my tank, but he's always gnawing on everything. Does he need a lot of extra food?

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[ESeck]

Following

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[Linwood]

Incidentally putting food in their caves is not a good idea if you have snails, as they come in droves and clog off the cave.

 

[Fishy Steve]

Good advice, but no snails

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