You can make your own algae wafers with equal parts spirulina powder, hair/thread algae, duckweed, and watersprite mixed in a blender with a little tank water and a half teaspoon or eggbeaters or egg whites. Spread on a baking sheet with bakig paper on it and bake for 15 minutes at 225F. Cruble the baked wafer into thumb nail sized pieces. Store in an air tight container and freeze for long storage. This is a good way to get rid of excess duckweed and watersprite. The egg white is only used as a binder. You can add in blanched green beans, zucchini, eggplant, carrots, sweet potato, cucumber, and shelled green peas. You also add any other organic greens like leafy greens or broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and you can also add pieces of frozen shrimp to th e blender mix. Always add equal amounts of the foods your plecos like to eat.
What a great idea! Thank you. . . I've made my own plant-based foods for snails, but never even considered it for plecos. Awesome - thanks for the advice. :-D
Thank you for the videos on pleco breeding. I just discovered my male albino bristlenose has fry in his cave. He is young, but seems to be a really good dad.
I was thinking of making an area that could be dug out of the sand under rocks, but I like this idea better. I didn’t think they would breed on the front glass. Once again, you’re cinematography is fabulous. And this is actually long enough to be a Nat. Geo. documentary. Enough chit-chat, must get to part three!
Those are Anubias barteri a common anubias plant available in all of the "big box" pet stores. They're easy to keep, sturdy, and do well in low light or bright light. I also recommend guppy grass, and hornwort, but they're not as sturdy as the anubias. Eelgrass (Vallisneria americana) is also a good choice. Live plants are an excellent addition to your aquarium.
My guess is that as the pleco grows bigger, so do his bristles, and therefore he can accurately gauge which hideouts have just enough room for mating and egg/fry guarding.
That's a great way to look at it. The bristles definitely give him information about the hideout. He can feel the size of it, as well as taste the walls of the cave to see if they're good for egg-laying.
The first cave i got is a similar one but for tanks from the start😉 it was probably sold as a cichlid breeding cave, bit can't remember 😅 And one thing to Think about is that you havn't got to many females to male ratio 😅 my females have fought about who gets Into the cave with the male first 😅😂🤪
Yes, but a coconut is smaller, and you'd have to cut it very precisely, so that there's no gaps between the glass and the coconut. Gaps allow the babies to escape ???
True, I’ve got a albino bristle nose and he’s probably only 10-12 months old (roughly 70mm). He has become really protective of his hole in the driftwood. Haven’t seen him eat in nearly a week or even come out unless guarding his cave from the bigger fish. Their is another female common pleco nearly exactly same size but they just look to small to breed yet. I hope he’s doing fine
Only 20 of my pleco eggs hatched or there all scatter around my tank but my other female is gonna spawn soon so hopefully i,ll have another batch of babies
The only hiccup with using your reptile cave approach is that you need to place these caves in the tank before you fill and use the tank as you need time for the silicone to dry, and this cannot be done on a tank that is already in use.
That is absolutely correct. Another option is to possibly prop the cave up against the glass with a rock or something else with some weight. I haven't done it, but it seems like it might work.
My normal (not bristle nose) pleco get too big so we get rid of him we won’t release him into the wild because that a stupid thing to do. What should I do?
Thank you. Releasing it to the wild would be a very bad idea!!! A large pet store, another fish keeper, or a zoo might be able to take it. Use the internet to find help. If no one will take it, then the best option is to find a humane way to kill it. To help avoid this problem in the future, always do lots of research before buying a fish.
Excellent footage. But l can't agree (ok, partially agree) that bristles on male imitate little wrigglers, plecos' are more intelligent 😉. I observed in my aquarium little fishies sucking on their father's bristles, like one of yours on video do. Later l found scientific article in internet about bristles function. Authors claim that on bristles surface nutritional substances exist. It may be main function, additionally of course, perhaps it's more attractive for ladies 😉
Yeah, that bristles imitating the fry thing was not my idea, just another's speculation. I personally feel that the bristles have a sensory function that helps the male choose and monitor the nesting cavity. Sort of like pleco radar, and it may provide some nourishment as well, just like you pointed out.
Yes, bristles seem to be organ of complex function. Thank you for interesting information it can be radar for nest cavity. I found article l mentioned above - Professor Hong Young Yan " histochemical study on the snout tentacles and snout skin of bristlenose catfish Ancistrus triradiatus ". If you're interested.
Dude sounds like a really low budget PBS narrator that's trying to hard. After the last video and then half of this one I'm so done. Gotta turn it off.
@Blair M I used to use text, rather than narration in my videos, people complained. Too much reading. So, I added narration. Most people love it, and for some strange reason, many people actually find my voice soothing. Furthermore, less than 35% of my viewers are from countries where English is the primary language. So, it's important that I speak clearly, so that I'm easily understood. I've been trying to contact Sir David Attenborough, but he won't return my calls.
I don't think he sounds low budget, and the pronunciation doesn't bother me, but the huge amount of fluctuations in tone does sound unnatural and random to me and makes it hard for me to stay focused.
Your macro videography is among the best on the internet.
Thank you. 🎥
Dave has gone to a whole new level and I'm loving it. Great trilogy!
Thank you. I wish the audio was a little better, but the next one should be flawless. So, many fish, so little time. :-)
You can make your own algae wafers with equal parts spirulina powder, hair/thread algae, duckweed, and watersprite mixed in a blender with a little tank water and a half teaspoon or eggbeaters or egg whites. Spread on a baking sheet with bakig paper on it and bake for 15 minutes at 225F. Cruble the baked wafer into thumb nail sized pieces. Store in an air tight container and freeze for long storage. This is a good way to get rid of excess duckweed and watersprite. The egg white is only used as a binder. You can add in blanched green beans, zucchini, eggplant, carrots, sweet potato, cucumber, and shelled green peas. You also add any other organic greens like leafy greens or broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and you can also add pieces of frozen shrimp to th e blender mix. Always add equal amounts of the foods your plecos like to eat.
What a great idea! Thank you. . . I've made my own plant-based foods for snails, but never even considered it for plecos. Awesome - thanks for the advice. :-D
Great idea I'm going to try this...great comment!👍
Them egg prices these days make the price of regular wafers seem easier
Thank you, Dave, this is the most informative article on plecos I have seen and I have passed it on to others. Please keep up the great work.
Thank you. I appreciate your help. :-)
Thank you for the videos on pleco breeding. I just discovered my male albino bristlenose has fry in his cave. He is young, but seems to be a really good dad.
You're very welcome, and best of luck with the new pleco family.
The reptile cave is a Brilliant concept. I love it :)
I'm hoping that I've started a trend. . . :-)
@@TheDave333 I've been coconut shell hut for 35 years, but I think you've nailed it.
This is the most informative detailed video.
Thank you. The fish did most of the work. :-)
I was thinking of making an area that could be dug out of the sand under rocks, but I like this idea better. I didn’t think they would breed on the front glass. Once again, you’re cinematography is fabulous. And this is actually long enough to be a Nat. Geo. documentary. Enough chit-chat, must get to part three!
Loved the documentary! You must make more.
Thank you! Will do!
You are awesome!!! On to part 3...
Thanks for watching the videos. You're the one that's awesome. :-)
I like the different approach with the cave, I might consider one
Thanks it allows you to see everything as it happens. It helps to make it their only option, then it sort of forces them to use it.
@@TheDave333 in my opinion, it also looks nicer than the tight pleco caves
I agree
@@TheDave333 I am going to attempt to breed phantom plecos, do you think the cave would work for all plecos or just hardy plecos?
They are cave-breeders so they might, but I've never kept phantom plecos so I can't say for sure. It's worth a shot.
Amazing . my uncle recommended this 3 part video to me . He said it was the best youtube video he'd seen and I agree . It must of took ages to make 👍✌
Thank you. It did take a while to put together!!! Here's another video that I'm very proud of as well. th-cam.com/video/4LyEQTtdoJ0/w-d-xo.html
@@TheDave333 I will watch that in a little bit👍 your assassin snail one is amazing too, ✌️
Beautiful!
Thank yo soooo much!
Exciting video
Thank you. Very interesting fish!
Absolutely excellent! Thank you for making this.
My pleasure!
Super nice videos 😄 have liked and shared😉
Thank you so much 😀
Dude I love the hide idea attached to the glass that's awesome I'm Stealin it thank you for the info bro.👍👍
Subscribed to your channel ... FYI!
No problem! Like, subscribe, share ! :-)
You have great content!
Thanks! The fish do most of the work. :-D
Love it!
Thanks!!
Absolutely love your videos! What is your opinion on Repashy food for the Bristlenose? Which one would you recommend for them?
I hear it's really great stuff, but I don't use it, because I can't really afford it. I rely on frozen green beans, spinach, and zucchini.
I have 16g. I want to add some plants. At 12:50 what kind of plants you have in there. And any other suggestion plants for me.
Those are Anubias barteri a common anubias plant available in all of the "big box" pet stores. They're easy to keep, sturdy, and do well in low light or bright light. I also recommend guppy grass, and hornwort, but they're not as sturdy as the anubias. Eelgrass (Vallisneria americana) is also a good choice. Live plants are an excellent addition to your aquarium.
My guess is that as the pleco grows bigger, so do his bristles, and therefore he can accurately gauge which hideouts have just enough room for mating and egg/fry guarding.
That's a great way to look at it. The bristles definitely give him information about the hideout. He can feel the size of it, as well as taste the walls of the cave to see if they're good for egg-laying.
10:28 he really just winked 👀
They do that sometimes! Good catch. :-)
I bet these caves would work well for Badis and dario as well.
They might. . . Hopefully I've started a trend. :-)
The first cave i got is a similar one but for tanks from the start😉 it was probably sold as a cichlid breeding cave, bit can't remember 😅
And one thing to Think about is that you havn't got to many females to male ratio 😅 my females have fought about who gets Into the cave with the male first 😅😂🤪
👍
why do you put the young males on a separate tank?
To give them special treatment ! So, they can grow big, and have big bristles. :-)
Where do you get the sticky cave from?
See the description section beneath the video. (Reptile cave / used silicone to stick it to the glass.) :-)
Would a coconut cave work as well? Much more economic and biodegradable.
Yes, but a coconut is smaller, and you'd have to cut it very precisely, so that there's no gaps between the glass and the coconut. Gaps allow the babies to escape ???
What are the plants called you have in tank called
They are various species of Anubias plants. Great low light plants, easy too care for, but they grow slowly.
bristles on a male-= tails on a peacock --- bristles are very sexy LOL.
Are bristlenose and the common pleco related?
They're relatives, but not close enough to be able to breed.
💪💪👍👍
How much they can grow per year and how many months they need to be before they can lay eggs?
Tnx.
6-9 months to lay eggs
How often do they spawn?
If they're well-fed, mine spawn about once every month. That's with one male and three females.
Is it just me or do the bristles on albino males are more straight and not bushy like the dark/chocolate bristlenose
I noticed that too. It might have something to do with age?
@@TheDave333 maybe but i have a 1 yr old chocolate male and a 1 yr old albino and the dark males bristles are more bushy then the albinos
I thought it was just mine, but I guess it's probably with all albinos. Thanks for sharing the info.
@@TheDave333 no problem
I believe the bristles are manly for cleaning the spawn spot
Yes, I believe it's something along those lines, but I think the male uses his bristles to test the suitability of a nesting cavity. :-)
True, I’ve got a albino bristle nose and he’s probably only 10-12 months old (roughly 70mm). He has become really protective of his hole in the driftwood. Haven’t seen him eat in nearly a week or even come out unless guarding his cave from the bigger fish. Their is another female common pleco nearly exactly same size but they just look to small to breed yet. I hope he’s doing fine
Only 20 of my pleco eggs hatched or there all scatter around my tank but my other female is gonna spawn soon so hopefully i,ll have another batch of babies
Best of luck
@@TheDave333 Thanks!
I heard an earthquake causes the bristles to elongate on a bristle nose pleccy
Hmmm, interesting . . . .
The only hiccup with using your reptile cave approach is that you need to place these caves in the tank before you fill and use the tank as you need time for the silicone to dry, and this cannot be done on a tank that is already in use.
That is absolutely correct. Another option is to possibly prop the cave up against the glass with a rock or something else with some weight. I haven't done it, but it seems like it might work.
My normal (not bristle nose) pleco get too big so we get rid of him we won’t release him into the wild because that a stupid thing to do. What should I do?
Thank you. Releasing it to the wild would be a very bad idea!!! A large pet store, another fish keeper, or a zoo might be able to take it. Use the internet to find help. If no one will take it, then the best option is to find a humane way to kill it. To help avoid this problem in the future, always do lots of research before buying a fish.
There are groups on Facebook for rehoming fish.
i bought my self an ancistrus and the dude within 3 days dug out his own cave under a large piece of driftwood
Awesome! He has made himself a home. . . . Now, he needs a lady friend! :-)
@@TheDave333 just what I was thinking, I will ask the guy from the store if he can import a female for me.
I hope he can find one for you. They're such interesting fish. Best of luck. :-)
I'd like to see a Chinese algae eater vid. 🇨🇳🏯🍜
Maybe some day...
I'm looking for a male !,, yes it is hard to find what you need when you need it .
Best of luck with the search.
@@TheDave333 Thankyou,, tricky finding one big enough :D
Excellent footage. But l can't agree (ok, partially agree) that bristles on male imitate little wrigglers, plecos' are more intelligent 😉. I observed in my aquarium little fishies sucking on their father's bristles, like one of yours on video do. Later l found scientific article in internet about bristles function. Authors claim that on bristles surface nutritional substances exist. It may be main function, additionally of course, perhaps it's more attractive for ladies 😉
Yeah, that bristles imitating the fry thing was not my idea, just another's speculation. I personally feel that the bristles have a sensory function that helps the male choose and monitor the nesting cavity. Sort of like pleco radar, and it may provide some nourishment as well, just like you pointed out.
Yes, bristles seem to be organ of complex function. Thank you for interesting information it can be radar for nest cavity.
I found article l mentioned above - Professor Hong Young Yan " histochemical study on the snout tentacles and snout skin of bristlenose catfish Ancistrus triradiatus ". If you're interested.
I'll check it out, always interested in new information. Thanks for sharing.
Pshaw...bristles are ANTLERS. All things male on this planet are "elaborate deceptions to convince the ladies to mate." 😘😘😘
There are 2 biological imperatives. Self-preservation and procreation. And to be fair, the ladies have deceptions of their own. 😀
Dude sounds like a really low budget PBS narrator that's trying to hard. After the last video and then half of this one I'm so done. Gotta turn it off.
I am on a low budget. . . 🎥
@@TheDave333 the budget has nothing to do with how you over pronounce everything
The video quality is crazy awesome, but the voice over is like you're simply trying to hard and it's too much for me.
@Blair M I used to use text, rather than narration in my videos, people complained. Too much reading. So, I added narration. Most people love it, and for some strange reason, many people actually find my voice soothing. Furthermore, less than 35% of my viewers are from countries where English is the primary language. So, it's important that I speak clearly, so that I'm easily understood. I've been trying to contact Sir David Attenborough, but he won't return my calls.
I don't think he sounds low budget, and the pronunciation doesn't bother me, but the huge amount of fluctuations in tone does sound unnatural and random to me and makes it hard for me to stay focused.