I have 2 common bristle nose and 1 albino in my 55 gallon african tank, I have gotten rid of the driftwood as it does not fit into the aquascape. How important is driftwood and how much would I need. I could cut up some little ones and hide them in the rockwork but they soften the water.

Gday,

I do recomend that you put a few pieces in the tank even if they are hidden the B/N's will find them and they do need D/W as part of there diet (from my research). as for softening the water if you are only puting in small size it should not impact on hardness.

Hope this helps
Cheers
johno

Ok, thanks I have noticed they have been more active since I took it out, is that becuse they are looking for some?

I cant say for certain but I would assume so mate. The funny thing I have found that I usualy put a few different small dw's around the tank (for mixed B/N's) and it seems as though each has a prefered type lol figure that one out hey. Another Idea is if you are puting any anubias in the tank a small/med size on small d/w can be easly hidden behind/in rocks and makes a great feature.

Cheers
johno

I've got a small one with an anibus that I've found a place for I'll try find some more :p

I had a pair of bristlenose in a temporary tank with no driftwood a while back and for some unknown reason (at the time) they died. They were "the healthiest fish I have even seen" (quoted from a guy that came over to grab some stuff) and within a week the female passed away, I just thought it was an unlucky occurrence, however the male soon followed. I was shocked and had no idea what had happened as all my levels were fine and the african fry seemed to be happy. All my other tanks with b/n have driftwood in them, so I came to the conclusion that it was the absence of wood in the tank. So now I always make sure I have driftwood in the tank when putting bristlenose in, even if it means forking out $20 for a tiny piece from the lfs.

Just my 2 cents, I may be right or wrong, however they are the only fish I have lost so I am pretty certain.

Yes and absolute must have for a BN - aids in their digestion.
Also plenty of veggies too, mine loves Zucchini.

Yeah mate wouldn't wanna risk not having it