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Do BN need driftwood. I want to put one in my 125g malawi tank but I dont want driftwood in there. Also do BN eat brown algae

Last edited by greenmonkey51 at 14-Apr-2005 01:03

Haven't kept these so I can't answer definitively. However, quite a few of the people who have kept them seem to think they're happier with some wood present, even if they don't actually need to eat bits of wood like some of the spoon-toothed Loricariids. Principally because rasping algae off wood is a lot easier for them than rasping it off glass. Which also applies to my humble Otocinclus.

Given that there must be a good 200 or so BN keepers among the Board members (that figure will probably prove to be an understatement once this thread fills up!), chances are you'll get plenty of replies


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

the short answer - no, BN's don't NEED driftwood.

BUT they do better with it, because it provides shelter, camouflage, and most importantly a good food source.

i have a friend with a beautiful BN who is 3 yrs old, happy as larry in a three-foot tank with fake plants and a marble substrate (as in playing marbles - i know, i know, you can't tell some people). mind you, he goes through hikari wafers like nothing else!

this is very scary this topic , i just went to my local aquarium today to buy some food, and i started talk to one of the workers and he was telling me since i have BNs i should have driftwood in the tank since they eat the bark, which then helps them with their digestion.

Actually i just got back from the beach and picked some driftwood up.

Question: but i is driftwood spose to be a certain type of wood? and how do i get it ready for my tank?

Some plecs do require wood but I've always heard that BNs do not.

I wouldn't hurt though...I had one of my BNs for quite a while before adding driftwood to the tank and it really seems to like it.

I buy only wood from the lfs. If you don't get more responses here about types of wood you might want to post your question in the [link=Aquascaping forum]http://www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/forum.asp?id=22" style="COLOR: #FF66FF[/link].

I boil the wood until the water is clear. How long seems to depend on the size of the wood.



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I dont think that driftwood is vital for a BN, but mine like to chew & hide in it. I would, at least place a small piece & see how it goes.


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greenmonkey51

Do BN need driftwood?

I dont think it is a matter of need, though they do seem to prefer it. Weather it is a food or for some sourse they always seem to be attracted to it. Have you noticed it is a perfect camouflage as well. I am not too sure weather they are eating the wood breaking down or the fine algae on the wood
I have one piece of DW that has never had any algae or signs of breaking down yet they are constantly going over it.

Keith

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My understanding is that although Ancistrus Bristlenoses do not actually need wood in the diet, they find it a lot eaiser to rasp algae from wood than from glass. The same definitely holds true for Otocinclus, although they'll snakc upon plcuked Amazon Sword leaves with lots of algae too.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Bristle nose do NOT need driftwood to live, but it is a part of their diet. They like bog/drift wood as they rasp onto it with their sucker mouths and camoflage. I have 4 pieces of bogwood in my 10 gallon which was my 2 bristle noses previous home. They were very happy and spent most of their time on the bogwood. However they are now in my 126 litre that has about 8 pieces of very big bogwood and i barely ever see them. In conclusion I think they do a lot better with bogwood or driftwood in their tank.

I do not believe that BNs need driftwood, or bogwood. But it certainly makes them happier and replicates their natural habitat. Why not add at least a small piece of wood to increase your fishes enjoyment in life.

Why not add at least a small piece of wood to increase your fishes enjoyment in life.

I think this is a very good suggestion, you could hide behind something so you can't see it.