Breeding Bristlenose Catfish

DrivingMissFishy

Hi all!
I have recently moved house and while removing ornaments and driftwood I unearthed some bristlenose fry which were swiftly gobbled up :( I didn't even know they were breeding, or that I had the right conditions in my tank (including males and females!) after catching all the fish i tried to examine the BN as best I could and think I have 1 male and 3 females. They are all small in terms of adult size but the male is the biggest at about 4 inches maybe. I was just curious as to wether they may spawn again? I actually got 2 of them (male & female) off a friend who's had them for ages and they never spawned before. Also the females are small (1 is about an inch the others maybe 3) I didn't think they would produce eggs at such a size!
Any insight would be appreciated, thanks!
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1077

I have a Female bristlenose just barely three inches, and a male at four to five inches.
I was surprised to find the male gaurding eggs a couple weeks ago, assuming the female was too small.
Weren't very many eggs and none became fry but in my expierience,,once condition's are favorable,,they can produce a clutch of eggs every couple weeks.
Bristlenose I have kept, seem to favor the cooler month's to spawn despite cooler water changes during warmer month's to encourage same.
Females I have kept, become noticeably rounder with eggs and thin suddenly they are thinner after depositing the eggs.
It is at this time, that the male who normally is quite active, suddenly is not seen out and about for day's at a time (gaurding eggs).
I try not to disturb the area where eggs are left and clean around the spot and perform water changes as usual.
I too was surprised to see eggs considering the small size of the female I have.

mikebike

Hello,
My ANBPlecos started laing eggs in September, I only noticed them when they were pushed out of the cave. Plecos like caves to protect the eggs the male stays in the cave to guard the.

I netted out the eggs that were pushed out and placed the net with the eggs in it under the outfall from my Aqua Clear 50 hang on back filter in my guppy tank within 4 days I had wrigglers.
just hatched eggs like little tadpoles, see photos below:



Mike in South Surrey BC