Does bristlenose have bristles when young?

[chooz]

I would like to get a juvenile bristlenose. But how to tell them apart from other type of plecos?

I don't want to accidentally buy a pleco that will grow too large for my tank one day.

[Merviso]

Hi Bro,


These are some of my Bristlenose's photos when they are juvenile:










And these are videos of them at Dec 2008:

http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/g...ose-female.flv

http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/g...enose-male.flv

Hope it helps...

[chooz]

Thanks for the photos!

So they don't have bristles when young... How do know if I am buying the correct one in the LFS, in case the shopkeeper is not being honest?

Roughly what is the price for these guys?

[Merviso]

Think I bought it at around $6 to $7 last year as mini pleco. If you are going to C328, maybe you can arrange to go together with someone that is familiar with this fish. Else, maybe you ask auntie for 小胡子异形...

[celticfish]

I saw some BN's in 328 earlier.
They were in the size of 40mm and some had a hint of bristles already.
My suspicion is that these are male fish.
They are usually in the betta tank with sulawesi snails.
From bottom, second row and left most tank.

[Mez]

They get them as they grow up. Males are obviously much longer and bristle-y

[chooz]

Thanks all for the infor. You guys are helpful.