Poorly Bristlenoses?

[SomersetMatt]

Hey guys and gals, I haven't posted on here in long time (life gets in the way!), but I know I used to get some great advice on here.

So as the title suggests, my BN's are "not quite right."
I noticed about a week ago they were off their food, usually they devour their pellets/boiled peas and brocoli the minute it gets in the tank, but it was going untouched.

I have 4, a male and female plus two of their offspring. I have had 4-5 spawns from this pair and have given some fry away as they have always been very robust and healthy.

Even now, they are not showing any signs of illness (apart from their stomachs which are looking a bit hollow), other than that though they are behaving normally.

Water parameters are fine (very soft acidic planted tank), the tetra's, otto's and rams they share the tank with are fine.

Any ideas on what the problem could be would be muchly appreciated, thanks!

[Lo1]

Hey guys and gals, I haven't posted on here in long time (life gets in the way!), but I know I used to get some great advice on here.

So as the title suggests, my BN's are "not quite right."
I noticed about a week ago they were off their food, usually they devour their pellets/boiled peas and brocoli the minute it gets in the tank, but it was going untouched.

I have 4, a male and female plus two of their offspring. I have had 4-5 spawns from this pair and have given some fry away as they have always been very robust and healthy.

Even now, they are not showing any signs of illness (apart from their stomachs which are looking a bit hollow), other than that though they are behaving normally.

Water parameters are fine (very soft acidic planted tank), the tetra's, otto's and rams they share the tank with are fine.

Any ideas on what the problem could be would be muchly appreciated, thanks!

May I ask if you have any wood in the tank?

[Lo1]

We found these helpful in the past: JBL NovoPleco XL. Because of the wood fibre content.

[SomersetMatt]

@Lo1

Thankyou for the reply, yes I do have lots of wood in there. I'll take a picture when I get back home later.

They have always been such greedy feeders in the past, Its just so odd that they seem to ignore everything now.

[Lo1]

@Lo1

Thankyou for the reply, yes I do have lots of wood in there. I'll take a picture when I get back home later.

They have always been such greedy feeders in the past, Its just so odd that they seem to ignore everything now.

Do you occasionally feed them bloodworms?

Although they are Herbivores, bloodworms are a good source of protein for them.

[Stephen]

Hey guys and gals, I haven't posted on here in long time (life gets in the way!), but I know I used to get some great advice on here.

So as the title suggests, my BN's are "not quite right."
I noticed about a week ago they were off their food, usually they devour their pellets/boiled peas and brocoli the minute it gets in the tank, but it was going untouched.

I have 4, a male and female plus two of their offspring. I have had 4-5 spawns from this pair and have given some fry away as they have always been very robust and healthy.

Even now, they are not showing any signs of illness (apart from their stomachs which are looking a bit hollow), other than that though they are behaving normally.

Water parameters are fine (very soft acidic planted tank), the tetra's, otto's and rams they share the tank with are fine.

Any ideas on what the problem could be would be muchly appreciated, thanks!

May I ask if you have any wood in the tank?

Bristlenose plecos are not wood eaters but do like hiding places.

Ancistrus should be fed mainly on vegetarian foods. Prepared foods include algae wafers and spirulina based sinking food. Vegetables such as courgette/zucchini, and (English) cucumber are an excellent addition to the diet, along with the odd, small amount of more meaty foods.

They do also prefer a well oxygenated aquarium.

All the best

[SomersetMatt]

They do get mainly a vegetarian diet, sinking pellets, peas and brocoli.
The other fish get frozen bloodworm etc so I suppose they may get the odd one here and there, but not a lot are left once the tetras have had their share.

[Martinspuddle]

They do get mainly a vegetarian diet, sinking pellets, peas and brocoli.
The other fish get frozen bloodworm etc so I suppose they may get the odd one here and there, but not a lot are left once the tetras have had their share.

Ancistrus species can be quite cautious or even shy, I've always feed mine after lights out.



Also try using Lettuce, Cucumber or Aubergine using a vegetable clip. Don't worry too much if it's gone off a little, it's will still be eaten and any left you can remove the following day

[plankton]

I leave (well I would if there was any left ) veg in for 48 hours for the BNs.
As they are omnivores they get meaty food as well as sinking wafers and the remainder of any granules, I don't give them any extra wood as they don't need wood in their diet.
What temperature is the tank running at? Their metabolisms will get too fast if it's above 26C, and they need more food to compensate.

[SomersetMatt]

Thanks for the replies.
I like to keep the temperature at around 25, although during heatwaves it does creep up.

I'm wondering now if it's all in my head, and their stomachs have always been a little flat, and because they haven't been eating I'm looking into it too much.

They have never been shy eaters in the past (the adults are over two years old now).
It's just this last week they all seem to be leaving anything I put in for them.