Compatability bristlenose ancistrus and clowns

[Auntsally]

Hi All. Does anyone keep a Bristlenose Ancistrus with clowns? Or would the water quality be a problem (keep reading about the waste from catfish). Just a thought.

[Ashleigh]

I have 5.... I think, possible 6, Ive lost count in with a large group of clown loach and they get along fine. The only thing I will say is to try and leave veggies and such in after lights out for a while as some may be a little shy to feed at first-it only took mine a few weeks to settle in before they would push the bigger clown loach out of the way so I don't see a major problem in mixing them


Ashleigh

[Mad Duff]

I keep bristlenoses in all of my loach tanks apart from the hillstram tank and they get on fine together

[oilhands]

I just added one to each of my tanks two days ago, one of which has clown loaches. So far so good. The Bristlenose is really shy and only does his chores at night. The clowns (and yo-yo loaches) snuffle around him from time to time but that is about it. I am amazed at what a good job each one does. After two days the 46 gallon tank is 90% clean and the 50 gallon tank, which was really green, is now 50% clean.

I wonder about not growing enough algae for them to eat. I've read that they like bog wood. I'm not really sure if that is special wood or just regular driftwood, but I plan on adding some wood from the LFS just as soon as I can make it over there.

[Auntsally]

Thank you for all of your comments. They sound great, and sonce the capture of the chinese algae eater i could do with a bit of help in there. Will look out for one. My book says they only grow to 4" max. Is that correct?

[Laura]

There's lots of ancistrus sp. (here's planetcatfish's list http://planetcatfish.com/catelog/family.php?family_id=4 ) but the one you commonly see stays pretty small. 4" sounds about right, but planetcatfish has them at close to 5".

I've had one for about 3-4 years and it's around that size. Mine loves to hide in a tight fitting cave and rarely comes out, although I understand other peoples' are braver.

If I remember properly it's this one ancistrus sp (3) http://planetcatfish.com/catelog/specie ... cies_id=49 that is the commonly found one. I await correction though as I'm going by memory

[Mad Duff]

Thank you for all of your comments. They sound great, and sonce the capture of the chinese algae eater i could do with a bit of help in there. Will look out for one. My book says they only grow to 4" max. Is that correct?

Have a look on Aquarist classifieds there are always plenty for sale

[starsplitter7]

I have four male Bristlenoses (shouldn't be kept together, but mine seem to do fine) with my herd of Clowns and there are no issues. Mine are all 4-5 inches. I have noticed that my two albino Bristlenoses are much braver than my brown ones. I see the golden albinos out 80% of the time. I have a small Veiltail (3") in another tank (I hope she is a girl), and she is super brave. Out all the time, doesn't take guff from any fish -- exceptionally beautiful. May want to see if you can find a few albinos, and see if they come out more for you too. I absolutely love them.

[Auntsally]

These sites are great! Thanks. Think I am off to find golden albinos starsplitter7. Have checked the sites and these look great, especially if they are out and about more than the others.

[Diana]

Generally the Ancistrus are not so much driftwood eaters, though in cleaning the algae off they can scrape the wood. More often it is Peckoltias that eat (and require ) wood in their diet.
Bristlenose are very good tank mates for many fish, and will handle a wide range of temperature and water chemistry.
Adding assorted vegetables for them is a great idea. Mine have eaten:
Yam (baked)
Pumpkin and other hard squash (baked)
Green beans (Slice lengthwise so they can get to the tender inside part)
Peas and Lima Beans (pop them out of their skin)
Zucchini (Courgette?- Summer squash)
Cucumber (raw)
Carrot (not a favorite)
Bell pepper (raw)
and more...

Most of these are cooked until they start getting tender, but are not turning to mush. Just a few minutes for most of them, especially if they are thinly sliced before you start cooking.

[Auntsally]

Thanks Diana. Think I better start growing veg. as well!!