I know this is daft question, but do they? Only reason i ask is that i dropped some algae wafers into the tank about 5 minutes ago and 1 of the plecs has been guarding it. As soon as any of the others gets any where near it looks like the start of his bristles flare out and look like little pale stars stuck on his cheeks. Is this normal? Thanks Lisa

Mine (semi adults full to mature stock) never have but you sometimes get feisty fish of course - law unto themselves as living creatures. They can change colour quite a bit depending on stress/water quality etc, quite normal.

Perhaps pm Goldy, she has raised many from babies and will give you the low down

Bristlenose are known to flex their cheek bristles yes guarding food is normal and they tend to spar and chase each other too but they don't do any harm

Thanks ladies glad it sound normal lol. 2 of them have started to do a bit of chasing but 1 doesn't seem to be doing as well as the others. He/she seems to be getting knocked about a bit so has been moved into my betta tank till i can fatten them up a bit with the pet rocks i've been growing algea on. Have been trying to get the little un intrested in other food but at the mo there just not having any of it. Guess i'll just keep trying till i find something they like.

Can I ask what you feed them at the moment scatty

Hi goldy far i've tried tetra pro tetra pro colour,tetra min,hikari algae wafers, king british catfish pellet,broccoli, cucumber and blood worms just turns his/her nose up and goes back to the rocks

So you have certainly tried a good selection then have you not seen him eat anything at all or was this only while in with the other two BN how about grubbing about on the tank glass as you would be surprised what they find to eat especially while you are not looking how old are they, do you know roughly, or their size if not any photos I have to say all of mine absolutely love cucumber so would have thought most would, they pounce on it as soon as I add it to their tanks out of curiosity how do you feed it to them, I just slice a piece, wash it and weight it down no blanching needed have to say though that they do tend to eat most things I put in like the Tetra wafer mix and flakes, freeze dried Tubifex, garden peas, etc. although didn't appear to like broccoli either will leave it there for now and give you chance to reply

Every now and then it would venture out on to the sides of the tank spook it's self then go back to the rocks.I've only had them for around 5 weeks and the other 2 have more than doubled in size (they were arond 1 to 1 1/2 inches when i got them. The 2 larger ones are not far off 4 inches now while this 1 is still around 2 1/2 inches. But RESULT got up this morning at silly o'clock as i was convinced i could hear running water (flipping nicotine patches they don't half give ya funny dreams)to find Mimi (yeah i know i can hear you shaking ya heads cuz i've named em ) chowing down on a chunk of cucumber. Not sure if it's because i didn't put a fresh rock in yesterday or that he/she knows they're not gonna be chased away or that they like it too be left in the tank for a bit to soften up. To be honest i'm just glad i've finally seen em actually eat. So fingers crossed now they have a taste for it the'll keep it up. Think i might just give him a week or so more till they really get used to the screwcumber then move em in to the cube. . Will have to get my bruv up to give me a lesson in loading up pics (i'm such a tecnophope). Thanks again for all your help. Lisa

Quote:
Wow they have grown quickly, are you sure they are all bristlenose and there is nothing wrong in naming them my boy is called Scotty because he reminds me of a scotch terrier with his bristles and the females are fattima "she is a right little pudding" and Missy the smaller female they were all the same size when bought, but one female has out grown the other so I wouldn't worry that one of yours is smaller, as long as it is not looking thin it is quite normal

Thanks goldie thats good to know he/she might just be a slow grower. None of them look skinnny even the little un looks chunky just a bit smaller. They better be bristlenose or i think i'll be having a few words with the guys at maidenhead as i really don't think i could give a long term home to a big plec. Guess i'll know for sure in a month or 2 when they really start developing there bristles or not! Do other plecs flex there cheeks out or is that just unique to these guys? Well it looks like there really getting used to the screwcumber so going to move em this weekend. Thanks for your help lisa