How can I get the best out of my Plec?

[scoobiemandan]

I've had a Bristlenose for around 3-4 years but never really see him until the lights out yet I see plenty of people who's Plecs seem to come out for food or generally just hang about in plain sight in any case. It's never been a great issue as it's always a nice surprise when we do catch a glimpse of him

Anyway, I purchased an L273 yesterday which set me back a pretty penny so I'm wanting to be able to see this fella as much as possible.

So, how do I encourage him to come out into the open?

[Lycosid]

I've had a Bristlenose for around 3-4 years but never really see him until the lights out yet I see plenty of people who's Plecs seem to come out for food or generally just hang about in plain sight in any case. It's never been a great issue as it's always a nice surprise when we do catch a glimpse of him

Anyway, I purchased an L273 yesterday which set me back a pretty penny so I'm wanting to be able to see this fella as much as possible.

So, how do I encourage him to come out into the open?

Odd as it may sound one of the keys is to give your bristlenose as many hiding places as you can, all over the tank. Like pretty much all animals that hide to avoid predators your bristlenose will feel safer in the open when it has several places to quickly retreat to if danger threatens, and so it will be more willing to come out in the open.

[TwoTankAmin]

What else is in the tank and what sort of decors/plants?

[scoobiemandan]

What else is in the tank and what sort of decors/plants?

Other than the BN Plec, there's Cardinal Tetra, Black Neon Tetra, Glass Catfish, Albino Cory and some SAE.

Odd as it may sound one of the keys is to give your bristlenose as many hiding places as you can, all over the tank. Like pretty much all animals that hide to avoid predators your bristlenose will feel safer in the open when it has several places to quickly retreat to if danger threatens, and so it will be more willing to come out in the open.

Currently there's three caves and a massive chunk of wood which has some nooks and crannies;

[bekateen]

Hi scoobiemandan,

Okay this answers some of my questions from your other post. It sounds like you need more hiding places.

Cheers, Eric

[TwoTankAmin]

Give it some time to settle in. The other fish are not a threat and many are excellent dithers. Either the fish will start coming out because it feels safe or else you will have to make do with seeing here and there and often just a part of it. I would guesstimate that if it is not coming out some after a few weeks, it may just prefer hiding no matter what you do since it is a nocturnal fish.

Also the 273 gets to a foot+ TL and be quite territorial. This could be an issue for the bristlenose down the road.

[scoobiemandan]

Thanks for the replies.

I've decided that the BN will be moved out of this tank as there are issues regarding both of them together! This will cure the immediate issue and any future issue of aggression between them and also, hopefully, give the Pseuda the confidence to venture out.