Hello

[bassbonediva]

Here's what a small (1.5-2") albino BN pleco looks like:
http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Catfis398.jpg

 

[Fishman1995]

They resemble that one so they are BN's can i get a pair of them or just one?

 

[bassbonediva]

You could do a pair...that would put you right at fully-stocked (99%, to be exact). Just remember that BN plecos NEED driftwood (it isn't a want, it is an actually need). Mine is constantly attached to my driftwood unless he's out cleaning the glass at night.

 

[Fishman1995]

KK i was planning on getting a piece and a piece with a plant attached so they'l both have a piece. How do i sex them cause id like to have a Male Female pair

 

[bassbonediva]

It's EXTREMELY difficult to sex BN plecos until they grow in their bristles. Males have more bristles and females' bristles are shorter and with fewer branches.

I would make sure you have a rather large piece of DW (or two) if you're going to have two of them, as they can become a bit territorial with other plecos. Easiest and cheapest way to get awesome driftwood is to go collect it in nearby streams and rivers. That's how I've gotten every piece of driftwood I've ever used.

 

[Fishman1995]

I wish i could but there isnt any driftwood around here :/ Petsmart near us has some in a Plant aquarium that has plants attached to it, il get to of those a HUGE one for a nice centerpiece

 

[bassbonediva]

Really? Dang, that kinda sucks. I need to get rid of some of the pieces I found so I can get some room back in my shed. lol

 

[Fishman1995]

LOL how much did you find a truckload lol

 

[bassbonediva]

How did I find it? Went hiking with a friend of mine at a small local lake and then up the creek that feeds the lake. The best time to go is right after a storm 'cuz a lot of the dead wood will be flushed down to the creeks and lakes.

 

[Fishman1995]

That stuff is Driftwood. It doesnt look like it, wont it nasty my water ?

 

[bassbonediva]

Just about any piece of wood that isn't treated or processed (like plywood or wood you buy in the hardware store) can be driftwood. It won't "nasty" your water. It might release tannins into your water if you don't boil it or bake it or soak it (or all three, if possible) first, but tannins are found in fishes' natural habitats and they LOVE them. A lot of people buy stuff called "blackwater extract" to add to their water to do the same thing that natural tannins do. However, activated carbon in your filter (or filter media) can help keep the amount of tannins in your water down, as well as routine water changes.

I'm curious about your "it doesn't look like it" comment. How does it not look like driftwood? *scratches head*

 

[Fishman1995]

haha, you said yours was wood that a storm blows into the water, after our storms the wood thats in our local creeks etc. looks nothing like the driftwood ive seen before

 

[bassbonediva]

Tree branches, roots, stumps...that sort of thing are the driftwood that we find in our area.

 

[misterking]

The driftwood you'll have seen in stores etc and the most commonly used in aquariums is mopani wood. I believe it's from africa and has a gnarled appearence with different shades of brown. The stuff you find floating after storms will be anything from your local area. Make sure you get a hardwood like oak or beech.

Btw, male bettas don't get to 4 inches either. If they did they wouldn't be suitable for your 5/2.5 gallon. There are some varieties that get a little bigger than the others though.

 

[bassbonediva]

Yeah, I think my biggest male betta, including his fins, was maybe 3" long and his fins were L-O-N-G.