Peppermint Bristlenose/ L182 Starlight Pleco Care and Breeding Guide - Great Tip to Trigger Breeding

[@thefishgod6035]

I was planning on getting a few peppermint bristlenose's this will help me a lot thanks

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Right good care guide on these awesome fish. The Bristlenose hormone tip is a belter.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Thanks DKF, did the job for me.

[@scarletamazon3455]

Hi, great vid, thank you! This is my first time with any pleco, and have two L183 Starlights. Was hoping to get lucky with a male/female pairing once matured - if not, others also each bought two, with the hope that we can trade so everyone ends up with m/f. Mine are coming up on about 6 months old/two inches, sharing a 57 gallon with some cories and a few small peaceful fish. Few caves, lots of hiding spaces in driftwood, stone and plants, but they're always near each other still. Haven't seen either use a pleco cave yet, they tend to go behind the same chunk of driftwood and stones. I *think* the slightly larger one is developing odentodes, but hard to tell still at this stage. they were also the same size when I bought them. The other day I saw the larger one at feeding time, lunging forward and appearing to bite at the smaller ones tail. The smaller moved away when the larger one did that, but didn't move far, only an inch or two. Is this aggression? I can't see any damage to the fins or skin on either of them. Does it mean they're likely to be the same sex? Or could the fact it was feeding time have something to do with it? They were eating frozen brine shrimp and algae tabs. I decided to move the smaller one to another tank for now, and reassess once I'm sure about sex. But I'd been told that the two would be fine together in my sized tank (which is a normal rectangle tank with good floor space, not like a column tank or anything), even if they turned out to be the same sex. That there would be enough room for them to establish their own territories. It does seem odd, if the larger was bullying the smaller, that they'd always be close together, and hang out in the same areas. Any advice greatly appreciated!

[@BlakesAquatics]

usually any aggression if from fighting for a territory, since you are saying that theres a few caves, it might be a good idea to take out the one that they seem to favour in the hopes that they each select a different one once the best one is eliminated. If not, 2 of a species of fish is never a number i recommend, and I would say get a few more if you can to spread any aggression out. best of luck!

[@scarletamazon3455]

@@BlakesAquatics Thank you so much for the response! I should have thought about rearranging the tank so they'd need to establish new territories. At first I thought they were sticking together since I got them as babies really, the group in the store tank were all close together when suctioned to the sides of the tank. I hadn't seen any aggression until this incident either, they just both appeared from behind the same chunk of driftwood at feeding time. Perhaps now they're maturing, they're getting more territorial. Stange that the smaller one wouldn't evade the larger one though? S/he moved away from the bites, but only a couple of cms, stayed pretty close to the larger one, and they were at the opposite end of the tank from their usual hiding spot. I'm not sure whether the store would be able to get any more L183's, and they were relatively pricey (to me, since I started off with livebearers!) plus I think even a 57 gallon wouldn't have enough room for 4-6 plecos, would it? Or do you mean perhaps add a few normal bristlenose plecos or another species maybe that won't hybridise? I did only get one Starlight at first, but when they still had more in store weeks later, and my pygmy cories unexpectedly spawned and babies raised themselves in the tank (not in the pleco tank, in a different 15 g), I wondered about breeding plecos. So I bought a second one and got some advice from the guys in store and did some reading. They were the ones who said the 57g would be big enough that even if they both turned out to be males, they'd *probably* be okay and each have a territory, but that it's good that I had a 30g I could move one to if they did fight. I separated them for now when I saw the larger one biting at the smaller one. I think I'll keep them separated until I can be sure of their sex, and if I wind up with a male and female, try them together again? I do have to move the 57 gallon soon to another room, so I will be tearing it down and re-scaping it when I set it back up, so they'll need to establish new territories anyway. Sorry for the rambling! Thank you so much for getting back to me and for the advice. It's very much appreciated! Have only been in the hobby for a couple of years, and really want my fish to thrive and to give them the best environment I can.

[@karenaatkins9616]

Been waiting for this one 👌

[@BlakesAquatics]

Glad to help :)

[@cameronbeveridge9603]

Great advice thanks Blake

[@BlakesAquatics]

Cheers glad you liked it

[@alixperri857]

nice video mate i just got a colony and wanted some pointers

[@aquamate]

Definitely one of my fav pleco Blink L 182s

[@BlakesAquatics]

its a stretch but ill award it 1 point

[@ShepsAquatics]

Very nice video and great tip. I’m still waiting on mine to grow up. Iv had since a week old. And still got a few more months to wait for breeding.

[@BlakesAquatics]

One day youll walk past and find a fry 👌

[@ShepsAquatics]

Blake's Aquatics in likely I have male and females separated atm lol

[@BlakesAquatics]

@@ShepsAquatics why?

[@ShepsAquatics]

Blake's Aquatics the male is getting close to breeding size and growing quicker then the girls so I’m letting them get a bit bigger befor intruding them back together and I need a tank to breed them in

[@shroimpyyyyy]

This video is very good, great information.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Thank you 😊

[@farazsworkshop]

Liked the overall tank

[@davidramsaur1984]

How long did it take you to grow them to breeding size?

[@BlakesAquatics]

1.5 years id say

[@HCAqua]

Those are super nice! I always wanted them

[@BlakesAquatics]

What are they called over there? Closest i could see was L182 starlight plecos

[@HCAqua]

@@BlakesAquatics Yup, they're known as L182 startlight. The L182 looses the white stripe on the fins, while the L183 loose the spots. Can't someone create the perfect one the keeps both the spots and the stripes? lol

[@BlakesAquatics]

@@HCAqua sounds like a job for Dean

[@archibaldvonkranski8881]

Your spot on bro🤠. They love fresh water shrimp meat tho.

[@bilalhussain-mg9vq]

Great video any water pera meters

[@wildwalkerstravel]

what temperature did they breed at?

[@BlakesAquatics]

77 def F / 25 deg C. good luck!

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

incredible ancistrus

[@Ressurrectinn]

I have L183 plecos and have been told they have the same name, mine are all mature and haven't lost that striking white line on their fins

[@BlakesAquatics]

From what i gather 182s lose their stripes, 183s lose their spots? I am by no means a pleco expert though

[@msmalteza5762]

Hi Blake great video I was wondering I have bought 2 peppermint bristlenose one has white line on tail and top fin and the other is black with white spots. What are the different names. Thank you

[@BlakesAquatics]

The one without the lines could be the same species just more mature

[@dereksreviews-collectables7185]

Where do u buy those cave things for them and what size are they,I’m in Australia.And what size can they start breeding and age.Thanks

[@BlakesAquatics]

The heaxgonal ones? Ebay search teracotta watering stake. Theyre about 2.5cm dia.

[@BodgieFromStraya]

don't worry Blake, I notice you have an issue with offloading BN, ill happily rehome them to a stunning 5x2x2 aquarium. I think some guy called boogie or bodie owns it

[@BodgieFromStraya]

I mean even if a peppermint gets in the mix its allll good hahahaha

[@BlakesAquatics]

@@BodgieFromStraya lol

[@Callikesfish]

Cool vlog. Do you suggest to separate the fries and put them in grow out tank?

[@BlakesAquatics]

Only if there are other fish that might eat them. I havent 👍

[@leo2o915]

Are they different parameters for the L183

[@BlakesAquatics]

Nah same same

[@benelliott95]

Bud where'd you buy them from in Melbourne?

[@BlakesAquatics]

Gumtree

[@memetpajaziti3434]

Will they get along with common bristlenoses ?

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yes I have kept both together before 👍

[@memetpajaziti3434]

@@BlakesAquatics thank you so much for the fast response, do they also breed together ?

[@BlakesAquatics]

They dont breed with each other but peppermints will breed with other peppermints whilst normal bristlenose are in the tank and vice versa 👍

[@memetpajaziti3434]

@@BlakesAquatics thank you just once again, I already subscribed!

[@memetpajaziti3434]

@@BlakesAquatics sorry for asking so many questions, but I see that you're very experienced with BN plecos, so my question is; I have two pairs of BN plecos, one pair has laid eggs and the eggs hatched successfuly, but, the male of the other pair goes in the cave from time to time, does this mean that he will eat the babies or he is just occupying the cave for his breeding ? Thanks

[@slammedstickers8370]

Co3yld, you ahow me whats the difference from common to peppermint

[@kingspencer7]

At what size/age would you say they will start breeding? And when the white stripe fades on the fins, does that mean they are mature and ready to breed?

[@BlakesAquatics]

After about 18 months to 2 years when males should have well defined bristles

[@ArlieVart]

Question - what size breeding cave? Love the channel 👍

[@BlakesAquatics]

Just has to be big enough that the female can be cornered in the entrance. Depends on how big your female is

[@alexlaraplecos7715]

Very nice looking bristlenose!👍

[@eddie6436]

If there all from the same place does that mean possible inbreeding? I plan to source atleast 3 different strains or lineages

[@BlakesAquatics]

Its possible but for 1 or 2 generations it doesnt make a difference, its mainly when you start to breed the same colony for 4 or 5 generations that things decline

[@Anonymous11Jj]

Are peppermint bristlenoses harder to breed than common bristlenose? Whats the differences between the kinds.

[@BlakesAquatics]

yes much more difficult and less prolific.

[@Brick0092]

What do you feed yours? Also how long before they can breed ?

[@BlakesAquatics]

Main diet is ocean nutrition bf-g1 and repashy. A long time, id say approx 1 year

[@senthilairtel6566]

I want starlight bristlenose female 5nos

[@Kailann.s1]

Around what size (cm) would they start breeding. Also what are good pointers to recognise gender

[@BlakesAquatics]

About 5 or 6 inches. Males have bristles on their face same as normal bristlenose, females will be more thick in the middle

[@rohans3447]

@@BlakesAquatics can we sex them at 2 - 2.5 inch size?

[@jasonbird9286]

Hello do you have any of these for sale?

[@BlakesAquatics]

For pickup or post?

[@antik_adam]

Only a pair, or 2 females and 1 male for a 20 gallon?

[@BlakesAquatics]

To be honest if you were going to go for a trio youd be better with 2 males and 1 female but pair is fine

[@antik_adam]

@@BlakesAquatics which would you do. The trio or the pair?

[@BlakesAquatics]

@@antik_adam pair

[@cheveburkinshaw860]

Ha blake what r they worth herein aus

[@BlakesAquatics]

Prices are crazy, ive even seen $100 per pair on gumtree. I think i got the juvies for $12 each back in the day

[@karenaatkins9616]

Usually anywhere from $25- $100 in western Australia

[@karenaatkins9616]

How big is your male breeder?

[@cheveburkinshaw860]

That’s crazy well worth breeding. Amazing how trends changes

[@BlakesAquatics]

5 inches i would guess, havent measured him specifically

[@brandonthejedi6082]

So how many L numbers do these go by or whatever, I have 2 that look exactly like them and I love them but they were sold to me as l181's, in a book I have there's a little bit about them and they're labeled as l030 and you have them as l182's so what's up with these guys

[@BlakesAquatics]

The difference between L181 is that they keep their white tail trim but lose spots, L182 are the opposite.

[@brandonthejedi6082]

@@BlakesAquatics should message me on instagram, bdh10001

[@BlakesAquatics]

Why?

[@kurtlawrence4879]

Do they though? Just making sure they tend to algae...

[@BlakesAquatics]

do they what?

[@kurtlawrence4879]

@@BlakesAquatics tend to algae, mate, like eat algae and help control it atleast. Just generally asking cos I'm planning to get some. Cheers.

[@BlakesAquatics]

@@kurtlawrence4879 hey Kurt, they will graze at some algaes but not all. eg diatoms and softer green algaes yes, but black beard, staghorn and tough green spot algae no. hope this helps

[@kurtlawrence4879]

@@BlakesAquatics this is thorough, mate, thanks heaps!

[@drblack66]

Noice