ancistrus cf cirrhosus - albino bristlenose pleco

[vince0]

Hi folks!

I have a group of 2m3f of these that I have been growing out over the last year. About 6 months ago, I had moved them from a 55gallons tank to a 120g tank, and noticed that some fry came out of the cave/log I used to move one of the males. At the time, I didn't have a proper breeding tank to keep them in, but I was planning to give them a more private set-up eventually.

About a month ago now (I think), I finished my larger Multiple Tank Stand and decided to dedicate one of my 20gallon tanks for them. This weeked, I was gifted with my first fry! I thought most of them had died over the weekend, but once I got a flashlight out for closer inspection, I spotted easily 20 fry. I kinda wish I would have known this yesterday when Dan was over here, but what can I do about it now lol.

The tank went a little murky after I added a piece of cucumber, so as soon as it clears up, Ill post pictures of set up.

i also thought I should note, that I have x. maeyi swordtails in this tank, and p. gilli mollies as well. The swordtails and mollies seem to be leaving the BN fry alone for now.

[Ursus sapien]

The tank went a little murky after I added a piece of cucumber, so as soon as it clears up, Ill post pictures of set up.



hey Vince,
several of my tanks get wicked bacterial(?) blooms (milky water, itchy fish, uv sterilizer knocks it out) when I feed cukes or zucchini, so I've cut them out completely. Now it's dark leafy greens (blanched and fast-chilled) or frozen peas only and it all works out.

[vince0]

What kind of leafy greans? Blanched and Grilled? Wouldn't you be cooking the nutrional value out of the vegetables then?>

[GaryofMontreal]

I used to spot ancistrus fry being guarded, but then when the male lost interest in parenting, they would rush out all over the tank. With their orange yolk sac bellies, they were irresistable to my swordtails, and I'd lose the spawn the day they lost the cave, every time. I could have a hundred being guarded, but it would end there. Even the herbivores would go for them.
I don't know what stage they're at, but if that big yolk sac is still on that species when it emerges...

[vince0]

The ones that are out of the cave no longer have yolk sacs. While I was looking into his cave with the use of a flashlight, I noticed another batch of fry that still do have the yolk sac. It would appear that my male is guarding to different groups of fry.

[Ursus sapien]

What kind of leafy greans? Blanched and Grilled? Wouldn't you be cooking the nutrional value out of the vegetables then?>

Dark green leaves are preferred: bok choy, Romain and kale are good (kale is the best for nutrition, and one kale plant will supply you with all the garden veggies you need for a year for a half-dozen bristlenose). Iceberg lettuce isn't very useful except to culture infusoria.

To use the leaves, you: wash, freeze, blanch, chill, serve.

Use the dark outer leaves. Rinse and pat dry. Arrange the leaves single-layer on a tray, separate the layers with a tea towel. Freeze, then collect the leaves and bag them is a zipper bag. This gives you a supply of leaves for use whenever you need them. The freezing softens the leaves, making them more accessible to the fish.

Take as many frozen leaves as you need for a feeding and blanch. Put the leaf in some cold water and bring to a hard boil. Turn off the element, but leave the pot until the the water slows to a simmer. Drain the hot water and add cold water to chill.

It takes a few paragraphs to explain it, but I'm sure you've done something similar a million times. The blanching/cooling of the leaves is to prevent a bacterial bloom in the water. Some tanks are more prone than others, but it is a useful precaution to take.

Melody or Pam are better qualified to speak to how this affects the nutritional content, but I doubt it does any significant harm.

[vince0]

Thank you very much, I will try this as soon as I'm out of cucumber.

[Ursus sapien]

Ironically, my brother (my kale candyman) didn't grow kale this year, but did grow zucchini and is giving it away by the bucket. Life is cruel.

[Dan_G_Calgary]

hmm. I never feed cucumber. No reason, just never have. Have always gone with zuchini. Lettuce occasionally for fry, but it does get mucky.

I need to grow a kale plant. I think next year I will ask my wife for permission to plant a kale and zucchinni in her flower beds...

[vince0]

I snapped a couple ok pics last night of the breeder set up, one of the smaller females, and also, the same female with a few fry. These fry left the cave officially on monday.

Enjoy!

[CACAdmin]

Cute little guys. Congrats.

[Ursus sapien]

That's the thing about bristlenoses. I've had young from 3 consecutive broods still hanging around the nest. Dad's are so easy going.

[vince0]

All the fry are doing great. i've had minor losses here and there. i belive that I noticed some fry with longer fins, which makes me believe that mom was my longfin female. Finger crossed!

More to come.

[CACAdmin]

I have found that the survival rates of albinos are less than that of regular BNs and that they tend to grow slower. Fingers crossed that you have some longfinned ones.

[Ursus sapien]

I have found that the survival rates of albinos are less than that of regular BNs and that they tend to grow slower. Fingers crossed that you have some longfinned ones.
Very true. It's the real reason I charge more for long fin albinos; not because of the type, but because they take soooooo long to grow!