Bristlenose

[intern1]

Hi,

I have some very very gravid female albino shortfin bristlenose - they have been gravid for approximately 3 months or so. I would like to know if they drop there eggs in a months cycle or will they keep them inside of them? and what are the consequences of them not breeding? I have heard that this can lead to death is this so?

The reason why they are not breeding is a mystery to me, I have asked other breeders that have breed this with no troubles and for years. I have tried water 50% water changes no water changes everything under the sun and nothing has worked

Paramters
temp 25
pH 7
Kh 4

Tank the tank is a 45cm cubed tank has 1 piece of drift would with Anubis on it approx 10cm 5cm wide 5cm high. Gravel is of a dark brown color, there are two logs one is a bamboo log another is a terracotta log. Filtration there is an internal filter, a sponge filter and a hang-on filter. The water is always very clear. I do water changes once a week approx 20-30% normal temp same ph and kh. There is 1 albino shortfin male 10cm, 5 albino shortinfin females (all very gravid) 7-8cm, 1 calico female (gravid) 7cm, albino longfin male 9cm, 3 albino longfin females 7cm, 3 common longfin 7cm, 3 5cm peppermints.

I understand the tank is overstocked by my filtration more than covers it just strange that they are not breeding.

John

 

[Doodles]

Have a look at this article, it may help

http://www.plecoplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=935

 

[intern1]

This doesnt explain why the females have been gravid for 3months shouldnt they have dropped the eggs at least 3 times in that period

 

[Joby]

My L144 females have been gravid since February, being a light colour you can visibly see the white eggs and they are fine :thumbup:

 

[Irene0100]

you dont mention caves in the tank, they might need a good nest site.
plus having more than one male could be problematic.

 

[intern1]

i got 3 caves for the 2 males

 

[Irene0100]

do you think you could post a pic of the tank?
have you tried putting temp up to 27?

 

[Lornek8]

Caves as mentioned could be an issue. If they are suitable (as deemed by the fish, not us) they may not use them. Thus the recommendation for providing many different caves from which the fish may choose.

Multiple males in that size tank could be creating problems as well. They could be more interested in staking out & protecting their own territories rather than spawning.

Fish have the ability to store/reabsorb eggs as their eggs have soft membranes. Problems with animals not laying eggs really only happens with those animals that lay hard shelled eggs like birds & reptiles. Calcification of the egg shells or other means of shell hardening whilst inside the female can lead to impaction & this is where the problems exist.

 

[intern1]

have put the tank up to 27 degrees before with no success, and i have done the water change every second day until a storm has come last time i done it was for 14 days or so.

Il try get some pics of the tank

 

[intern1]

gravid females

the tank

 

[Breamlegend]

Try covering the back and side and put some wood over the cave.

 

[Irene0100]

yes I agree withabove. if you can do some simple backing and one or two sidees. can just be a sheet of hardboard painted black or dark blue. this will make them feel more secure.
then add some more wood across the other bits so space to go under out of the light and so more hiding spaces for the females to hang out. this could all make them more comfortable.

 

[intern1]

ill try giving that a go

 

[intern1]

I have always had problems with these fish lol

I really don't know what i am doing wrong in terms of breeding.

I have change the tank around added 3 more caves some rocks and some drift wood all witch i have cleaned. I will also be adding some more anubias and java furn. I took out all the fish left 1 male 3 female long fins all 8cm and 1 male (10-12cm) 3 female (8cm) standard albinos

but now i have a larger problem on my hand in the last 5 days i have lost 2 females 1 long fin and 1 standard albino 8cm each.

Nitrate 0 Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 pH same as before 7-7.5 Kh4

What could be the problem I have to admit I haven't done water changes as regularly as i would like normally i do them every 5-6 days now its every 10 days just to being busy with work and uni exams.

?????????

I am so close to giving up on these

 

[intern1]

New setup

Female in cave

 

[Irene0100]

tank looks better anyway.
so sorry you have lost some fish .

what did you clean the new decor with?? could you have added anything that would leach chemicals?

I found to get BNs to start breeding I did a small water change every day. once a week may not be enough.

 

[bre]

but now i have a larger problem on my hand in the last 5 days i have lost 2 females 1 long fin and 1 standard albino 8cm each.

Nitrate 0 Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 pH same as before 7-7.5 Kh4

What could be the problem I have to admit I haven't done water changes as regularly as i would like normally i do them every 5-6 days now its every 10 days just to being busy with work and uni exams.

?????????

I am so close to giving up on these

You should have some Nitrate readings if your tank is fully cycled.
not doing water changes for 10 days wont cause deaths unless your tank is overstocked and/or not enough oxygen in the tank.
now, did any of the BN that have passed in the last 5 days show any symptons or signs of something wrong prior to dying?
Also what are you feeding them?

 

[intern1]

I cleaned the decor with boiling water and the nitrate is 0

I am feeding them Hikari Algae wafers and thats all

 

[Breamlegend]

You should be feeding vege's as well. I think you should buy a new nitrate test kit as you should have nitrate readings unless your tank is not cycled - then I would expect ammonia readings. I feed my bns vege's 6 days a week. I still have my original fish ( 5 years and counting!)

 

[Amy]

Is that a barnacle in your tank??

If so you need to remove that, they really should not be in freshwater tanks.

Do you still have the 2 males in the tank??

If so can you remove one so you would at least have 2 females to 1 male??

It was mentioned that 2 males will fight and defend their areas, maybe you will see a differnce if you can remove the extra male.