Dwarf Albino Bristlenose

Elspeth · Post by **Elspeth** » 26 Apr 2005, 17:20

Last year I picked up a group of albino bristlenoses, and they were either lablelled "dwarf" or someone made that claim (AS auction last April). I read up on bristlenoses here and thought I had common, garden variety albino bristlenose, Ancistrus sp. not really identified.

After a year, the largest is less than 3" long, probably closer to 2". One in particular has sprouted a manly set of bristles.

I figured they have some growing to do yet, but in the last couple of days, Mr. Big-Bristles and the largest smooth-nose have been seen messing around in a hole in a rock, after which the male has been glued to said hole and working his fins constantly. Unfortunately, the hole is placed so that I can't really see if there are eggs in there; even more unfortunately, next day he's no longer there and the hole appears empty.

I'm wondering if these fish really are mature enough to spawn yet. If they are headed towards 5"-6" full grown length they seem immature yet, which is why I wonder if there is a "dwarf" variety out there after all. Or do they mature enough to spawn before they're full grown? In which case, would they be better off if I constructed some real spawning caves -- or should I not encourage them until they're older? For that matter, is there a way to discourage spawning??

Post by **Janne** » 26 Apr 2005, 20:34

Common bristlenoses are usual sexual mature around 1 year old an a size around 8 cm (3"), sometimes youngsters stop growing which can depend in many reasons and they will be able to reproduce as much smaller size if they are enough old which is not good at all. There are not any dwarf species of common bristlenoses...only miss growing specimens.

Janne

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 27 Apr 2005, 10:10

Elspeth wrote:I'm wondering if these fish really are mature enough to spawn yet. If they are headed towards 5"-6" full grown length they seem immature yet, which is why I wonder if there is a "dwarf" variety out there after all. Or do they mature enough to spawn before they're full grown? In which case, would they be better off if I constructed some real spawning caves -- or should I not encourage them until they're older? For that matter, is there a way to discourage spawning??

My male is about 2-2.5" long at the moment, still growing, and has successfully fathered three batches of youngs, the first of which the then resident goldfish decided to consume as lunch/dinner/breakfast during the next couple of days. The other two batches are currently growing in the tank, mum is currently off-site together with said goldfish.

The only way I know of to prevent them from spawning is the old separation method. No males with the females -> no babies... Works for all species of animals, aside from snails and a few other exceptions.

--
Mats

Elspeth · Post by **Elspeth** » 27 Apr 2005, 20:52

So they do have a bit of growing yet to do, and they're not rushing things by attempting to spawn this early. I'll just leave them as they are then! Mr. Big Bristles does not seem to have left this time, though he does leave to eat...

bedwetter · Post by **bedwetter** » 28 Apr 2005, 04:22

just out of curiosity, how big are the bristles on your male? I have had some albino bristlenose for about a year as well, and they are about the same size now. however, my male only has tiny little bristles, nothing at all like i have seen in pictures. Do these take time to develop or is my male just weird?

Elspeth · Post by **Elspeth** » 28 Apr 2005, 09:10

bedwetter wrote:just out of curiosity, how big are the bristles on your male?

Hard to say, since you get a different perspective in the close-up photos. Having said that, I don't think they are as long nor as thick as the photos I've seen of adults. He gets to be Mr. Big Bristles by comparison with his age-mates only.

I think you are right and the portrait-ready Full Set comes naturally with greater age, and possibly with social status -- iirc it varies with different species but dominant males often develop Boss Bristles?

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 28 Apr 2005, 10:24

bedwetter wrote:just out of curiosity, how big are the bristles on your male?

Bristlenose males (and females) develop bigger bristles as they grow older and as the fish grows bigger. I've seen some big males that are about 12-13cm (5")TL, and they have pretty impressive bristles, at least a centimeter (1/2") and with branches/forks in them. Mine is about 5-6cm(2+") TL, and his bristles are less than half a centimeter (1/4") and no forks.

--
Mats

bedwetter · Post by **bedwetter** » 28 Apr 2005, 13:13

great to hear that the bristles take time to develop. i was beginning to think that they were going to stay that small!

Dwarf Albino Bristlenose

Dwarf Albino Bristlenose

Re: Dwarf Albino Bristlenose