Regular Member Migaloo Posted November 16, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted November 16, 2010 I would really like to add either a large common or peppermint bristlenose to my 170gal goldfish tank. Currently I only have albinos and they were in cold water when I bought them. All the bristlenose I come accros at the LFSs are always in tropical tanks - it seems I cant find any in coldwater tanks, so I was wandering if I could acclimatise a BN from tropical to cold water? Or would it just stress them too much? And if so, how do I do it? Is it just a matter of floating them in the bag? Or is it more complicated then that? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member johann_pond Posted November 16, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted November 16, 2010 Do you have an extra tank that could be set up, even a 10gallon. If so then I would add him and gradually lower the temp. over a few weeks. Then it should be ok. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Migaloo Posted November 16, 2010 Author Regular Member Share Posted November 16, 2010 Yes I can arrange a spare tank... but I would need to buy a small heater - as I only have two big heaters I do need more specific info however... Like how do I lower the temp specifically - half a degree a day? (being from Oz, I think in degrees Celcius LOL) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Sakura Posted November 16, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted November 16, 2010 I would really like to add either a large common or peppermint bristlenose to my 170gal goldfish tank. It's not advisable to keep common plecos with goldfish. They eat the slimecoat off the goldfish at night when the goldfish are sleeping, and they also shred the fins of the fish. BNs have been known to go after a fish that is weak or sick, but are generally more passive and safe than the commons. Even still I've heard of BNs attacking healthy goldfish, so I personally wouldn't keep them together just for peace of mind. I don't know for sure about how slow to lower the temp... but I would say if you're unsure just lean towards the conservative side. Better to go too slow than to go too fast and shock the fish I suppose. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Migaloo Posted November 16, 2010 Author Regular Member Share Posted November 16, 2010 LOL Sakura... I didnt mean I wanted a 'common pleco' - I meant a 'common bristlenose' - so either a brown bristlenose or a peppermint brislenose - sorry I must have worded it incorrectly ... I would like a brown one - because I currently only have albinos I have been keeping brislenose with GF fish for a long time now and they are fine - I have 2 adults and 5 babies in the tank. Even when the BNs have eggs, they only sort of 'chase' the GF away - never injur and thats as aggressive as it gets. The rest of the time they ignore each other 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Sakura Posted November 16, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted November 16, 2010 Okay... I was pretty sure you knew that about the common plecos, so I was surprised! I was reading on another goldfish forum one time, and a member was having goldfish with shredded and red fins seemingly overnight. She tried everything, but only when she removed her albino bristlenose pleco did the goldfish finally begin to heal. So I know it can happen. I suppose it could have been a territorial thing perhaps because her tank was on the smaller side (I think only 25 gallons with 2 goldfish and one BN). So pushing it a bit space-wise. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Migaloo Posted November 16, 2010 Author Regular Member Share Posted November 16, 2010 Yeah maybe.... I think it would be very rare for a BN to do something like that - I suppose anytyhing can happen and who knows - the GF could have been annoying the BN LOL - But yes, you do need to provide the right environment - driftwood and hiding spots! But they are considered a harmless pleco to keep with goldfish - or any fish really!I have them in all of my tanks (well, I only have 2 going at he moment LOL... still ALL - not counting QT)! Yesterday I saw a fully grown one at the LFS - usually only see babies in the shops - but these were big - 5 inches - with beautiful double forked bristles - I want one but they are in tropical water and I dont want to overstress/kill it 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Sakura Posted November 16, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted November 16, 2010 (edited) Sounds pretty! I have considered getting a longfin ablino BN. I was thinking of putting him in my 29g betta tank once some more algae grows. I've read they don't eat the diatoms (brown algae), do yours seem to ignore it or eat it? Edited November 16, 2010 by Sakura 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Migaloo Posted November 17, 2010 Author Regular Member Share Posted November 17, 2010 To be honest I dont even know what brown algea looks like! I never seem to get algea in my tanks - perhaps the BNs are eating it before I even get to see it! I do get little green spots of algea however... but thats it - and I have the lights on all day - if Im home or not... so yeah I suppose they must eat it! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Sakura Posted November 17, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted November 17, 2010 Oh well, diatoms only ever show up in some tanks, some people never get them at all. So you probably just don't have any. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Migaloo Posted November 17, 2010 Author Regular Member Share Posted November 17, 2010 Hmmmm... I guess maybe I dont then! LOL Oh and BTW.... I LOVE longfin BN - I have never seen a big one of those, but even the babies sure are awesome!! - Again, only ever see them in tropical water (Im sure my goldies would nip those long fins!) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Sakura Posted November 17, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted November 17, 2010 There was one about 4 inches long at my LFS recently! It was so pretty! They were asking $60 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Migaloo Posted November 17, 2010 Author Regular Member Share Posted November 17, 2010 (edited) $60? Yeah I would believe that - they charge about $40 for the big ones here and that's just the commons - the longfin and peppermints are always dearer! Have you seen the peppermint BNs? They are pretty http://keysboroughaquarium.com.au/images/peppermintCAT.jpg Edited November 17, 2010 by Migaloo 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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