Alan_au

Yeah, the GBA will breed,,,,,just the rainbow wil eat all the babies !

Goodness !!!!! Phill, if you have Ancistrus catfish ( Bristle nose ) from Peru, then there is no way that they are the same species as the common bristle nose !!!! Not just different lines, but different species all together !!!!! Am I reading things right here ? Is it an honest mistake? or is some one doing a massive snow job ???? Alan PS. on the other hand might be some nice rare Bushy nose cats going at common prices !!!!!!!!

In all the years that I have kept Bristle nose catfish, the only plants they ever harmed were Barclaya longifolia,,,,and they absolutely destroyed those overnight... I never thought that half a dozen B/N could eat 10 medium to large plants in 24 hours, but they did !!! Alan.

My experience breeding Emporas, not all males are fertile. They will spawn but the eggs aren't fertile. When you do get a fertile male they are a nice easy tetra to breed. Unlike most, they don't seem to be avid egg eaters so you are not costantly watching the breeding tank. With a good quantity of spawning medium (java moss or nylon mops) you only need to check for eggs daily. Alan.

Before you go making profound statemants like that Kyle, get a little experience breeding these specise. When you have spawned and raised a few thousand whips I may bow to your opinion. I am always amiable to change, that is what education is about. In twenty or so years, when you have the tertiary qualifications I have, lets talk about this again. I am not going to pos identify a fish from a single pic of a juvinile when there is doubt between two closely related species. I quallified my I.D. with future developments of the fish's morphology. I'm afaid, with my experience I can't do better. Alan. Alan Hosking-James Dip.PA.BSc.Dip App Sc(Hort)

A good indication that a spawn is emminast with all Ancistrus (Bristle nose) is the male sitting at the entrance of his cave 'Flashing' his bristles. It is the female that innitiates spawning, the males just sits in ambush indicating that he is ready. Ala.

Crap Kyle ! It is a Sturisoma. Twig cats are Farlowella genus. Totally different fish altogether. Believe me I have been breeding them more than 30 years, and it took me a long time and a lot of money buying the same fish under different names to sort it all out. Forget "Common names", be a real aquarist and use the correct scientific names. Alan.

I am leaning toward S panamense and another Aus whip breeder agrees at the moment. If they keep the dark patern high up on the arch of their back and dark bars continue up into the dorsal fin they are Royals. They should also grow long filaments on their pectorals and cordal. Alan.

Jess, The fish pictured is a (Genus) Sturisoma most definately, the species is a little doubtful at that size. There are two very similar,- S. panamense "Royal Whiptail" (often erroniously lables a twig catfish when small), and S. barbatum,,,,some times labled S. nigrarostrum which is an invalid name,,,the Longnose Whiptail. These two are very difficult to tell apart when small, and S barbatum is a lot easier to keep and breed than S panamense. This is also reflected in the price as Royals, S panamense, are usually 3 or 4 time the price of S barbatum, the longnose whip. Falowella arcus,,,the true 'Twig catfish' is no relation and looks totally different. Alan.

C.B., Any chance you took note of the temperature, pH, or hardness of your water when they spawned??? Just in case some one else out there might like to try their hand Alan

Remember that if you have a couple of hundred baby BN in a tank and you are feeding to the max, they crap heaps. So cleaning filters is a continious chore, along with water changes. Dosen't matter what you are feeding. Plenty of food in means that much waste out the other end and BN will eat all day and all night if the food is there. Alan.

Blanched pumpkin is my primary food, the fish love it and it is inexpensive. Zuchinni, when I can get it under $1.50 / kg for a change, or chocko, or what ever is in season. They eat just about any veg that has been blanched.

You can get Bristles to 3 cm SL in about 12weeks ( about the smallest I like to move them much,,,,,,,unless newly hatched and then only in my fish room) To get them to 5 cm SL takes quite a bit longer as they put on body bulk as well as length. I try to sell all mine at 3 cm, most economical for time, food and growing space. The time, food and space is not worth the extra $1 I get for a 5 cm fish. But that is here where I get $1 for a 3 cm fish or $2 for a 5cm fish. I have no idea the value in NZ. Alan.

B/N like a highly fiberous diet, and their exrement tends to hold together in long strings if they are getting the right diet. (as do all plecos) Dont worry ! Your fish is eating well and just doing it's thing. Alan.

Right on bill !!! specially if you have a good snail population or a couple of bristle nose in the bare tank with the recovering cories (Catfish). We have no scientific evidence so far but anacdotal reports suggest a bacterial activity on "Cat whiskers" in some situations. To the extent that some cases result in total erosion and mouth deformaties. Alan.