Unexpected breeding in common bristlenose - HELP

[orangygirl]

Hi all
Very new to this so hope this has not been asked before, or if it has you can bear with me.
Despite breeding catfish supposedly being difficult, my common bristlenose cats have bred.
I had not even noticed a change in the female beforehand, and only realised when I saw a tiny catfish (since eaten I think).
Now the male is on eggs again, just two weeks later at the top of a large tank ornament, he has been there for around 2 days. If he was in a smaller item I'd set up a breeding tank and just transfer him and the ornament but this is just too big.
My questions then:
1. How long before they hatch?
2. Should I set up a breeding tank and transfer them without the ornament?
3. Should I just try to catch them once hatched and put them in a floating 'nursery' tank?
Thanks in advance, hope you have enough info.

[Deb]

Hi, Orangy.

Please look here to make sure you have enough info in your post:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... f=5&t=4305

Your post will most likely be moved to the Loricariidae forum where other members will be able to help you.

[orangygirl]

No. Only the one ornament, wasn't trying to breed. Sorry I put post in the wrong area - told you I was new.

[Deb]

*LOL* Welcome!

Best thing if you are in a hurry is to do a search using keywords such as "bristlenose eggs hatch" or something like that. Your questions may be answered that way. There is plenty of information on this topic already in the forums. Good searching!

[MatsP]

Moved to the correct place.

--
Mats

[andywoolloo]

who all is in the tank with them, other fish wise,

what size tank

[orangygirl]

Tank is 200 litres. Tank mates are danios, glo-light and black widow tetra, a golden loach, a flying fox, 2 upside down catfish, 5 hatchets and 2 rosy barbs (most likely fry eaters I would've thought). And of course, 2 common bristlenoses.
Plants are both real and artificial. One large ornament (in which they have nested).
Hope that helps.

[MatsP]

I would agree, the Rosy Barbs (Puntius conchonius) are at least one of the culprits for eating the fry.

If you are going to move your ornament, move "dad" as well. And make sure your new tank is set up with a cycled filter.

--
Mats

[orangygirl]

Thanks Matts but the ornament is way too big for the possible breeding tank so it has to be either catch the fry or move the eggs plus dad and I don't know how he would cope with that.
Any idea how long he will 'sit' on the eggs for?

[MatsP]

How long they sit on eggs depends on the temperature. Your best option then is to observe the fry, and when they turn brown, you have a day or so to remove the fry before they are released by dad. Using a hose to syphon out the fry will be your best bet.

And try to find a different cave that is easier to move for next time.

Also, careful what you wish for. I have been in the situation where I have so many bristlenose fry that I can't even give them away - ending up driving 50 miles to a shop that will give me a voucher for them...

--
Mats

[crkinney]

I have about 75 albino bristle nose fry . Want some
mule

[orangygirl]

They sound cute mule...but tank is full really. Didn't even really want mine to breed but it seems they are rabbit fish.

[MatsP]

Yup, they breed quite easily (not taking anything away from those who have bred them in smaller or large numbers).

--
Mats

[orangygirl]

Just an update, 12 fry now in floating nursery tank sucked out as suggested, just got to find homes for them now. Will probably block the hole to discourage more breeding. Thanks for all your help.