Pleco Breeding Project

[cichfrk]

I'm planning to start a Pleco breeding project. I am expecting to get some nice L134's. I don't know anything about pleco breeding. I know I can always Google some info about them but I would like to hear from fellow members about suggestions on proper care.

[Tony]

I've only spawned run-of-the-mill bushy nose, but don't believe that L134 are particularly tricky to spawn.

Here's a quick Google search on the topic. Planet Catfish is the bomb when it comes to anything catfish.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworld/shanesworld.php?article_id=241

Good luck and keep us updated.

[Narwhal72]

Finding males and females is the key. A good ratio is 2 males and 5 females. You want to setup two caves (one for each male) that are spaced far enough apart where they won't fight but close enough where they know the other's there. That will encourage them to breed.

You also want to maintain fairly soft water. Otherwise the baby plecos can damage their noses during hatching and you get what is called "snubnosed" fry.

L134 are increasing in popularity but they are not nearly as easy or as prolific spawners as bristlenose. It takes a long time to grow young fish up to spawning size and even longer to grow fry up to a sellable size so its not a money maker but it is rewarding.

Andy

[cichfrk]

I am preparing a 30L for them. I was wondering, would there be a problem if I use the filter from a high pH setup to cycle the 30L which is neutral pH?

[Narwhal72]

No it won't be a problem to use that filters. Filters can't transfer anything to do with pH from one tank to another.

I would recommend using RO or deionized water to get a lower GH and KH value though. Especially if you live in a hard water area.

Andy

[cichfrk]

Thanks Guys! Wish me luck, it's a long shot but I'll try my best to breed them. I'll post any progress along the way.

I just thought that if we can't stop the building of the dam in Brazil which will eventually kill them, probably we can do our part as hobbyist to breed these creatures while we still have time. If one ECC hobbyist can have at least 1 tank dedicated to any of these beautiful creatures, maybe we can see them flourished.

[TwoTankAmin]

Apistomaster, aka Larry W., has had his his Pekoltia comptas spawn in water with a TDS of about 350. That is a GH of about 16dg or more depending how much of the TDS comes from KH. That is far from being soft water.

Re: Raising TDS Using Calcium Carbonate? (http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=33073&start=20#p220808)

by apistomaster (http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=5933) » Thu May 12, 2011 5:15 pm



I have had many L134 spawns when the breeding tank was allowed to be replaced gradually with tap water to facilitate removing their accumulated fry to 40 breeders filled with tap water.(My broods typically range between 25 and 35 fry). At these times, instead of the water TDS being below 100 ppm it was as high as 340 ppm. When L134 are in their spawning season, water quality matters far more than the hardness and pH.
Getting L134 in the mood is what is the mysterious and hard part. I still do not have a full understanding of exactly what it take to induce them to spawn despite having raised well over 700 of them.
From http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=33073&start=20

Mine have spawned in anything from 80 to 135 ppm TDS. Unfortunately I can't get them past one day as free swimmers. More often the eggs are consumed or the wigglers booted.

[cichfrk]

Thanks Chris! Great info, keep them coming.

[bassgenie]

I want to complement you on your ambition to protect these species. Plecos are wonderful animals and Its inevitable that Man is going to further push into those areas where they spawn. The dams are just part of it. Giant Corporations are plundering the Amazon. By the time real progressive change is made, I'm afraid most Wild Plecos will be gone. I feel some of their best chances for survival is in Hobbyists tanks. I think its great what you are doing, Best of Luck!!!

[Narwhal72]

IME you can get some Peckoltia and Ancistrus species to spawn in a variety of water hardnesses. However the theory that "snubnosing" is due to the damage caused to the fry breaking out of a harder than normal egg shell is quite plausible. I have seen it myself spawning L15's.

Remember the goal is not to just spawn the fish but to raise healthy and undeformed fish.

In which case the softened water would be a good idea to prevent said deformities.

Andy