Pairs, Trio's or Groups ???

rickyjjuk

rickyjjuk

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Jun 3, 2009
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I know this has probably been asked a million times before :D however what are people finding sucess with :dk: I am mainly talking about breeding hypans but would be interested in knowing what people's experiences are when breeding L no's. Do you find its best in pairs, trio's or just groups ? :dk::dk:
 
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billyjimbo

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Sep 16, 2009
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BNs

rickyjjuk said:
I know this has probably been asked a million times before :D however what are people finding sucess with :dk: I am mainly talking about breeding hypans but would be interested in knowing what people's experiences are when breeding L no's. Do you find its best in pairs, trio's or just groups ? :dk::dk:
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Hi, I have had success with all of the above, a lot depends on the fish and the size of the tank, if you have a large tank then a group would probably be best but I would only have 2 or 3 at most males with 6 or more females or they will fight over the best caves, if your tank is only small a pair or trio would be better. Whichever way you decide to go put plenty of bog wood in and plenty of hiding places, I also dont go in for the regular water changes, I feel that I am syphoning out the nutrients from the bogwood so only do water changes when I think they are needed, this has worked for my L260, L183s and most of my other L numbers. I am not saying regular water changes are bad, just that I prefer to do it my way. Hope this has been of use, Bill
 
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macvsog23

Pleco Profiles Team - RIP FRIEND
May 1, 2009
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Hi

As stated it is not a cast in stone art.

My success has been varied with groups I have had better success mainly keeping 5 fish 3 females and two males.
Neil from Pier told me that most Hypans need competition and that they will spawn better if you have two males.
This can not be applied to every fish for example L134 has a habit of destroying any competition.
My opinion is that the conditions are a major part of the sum.
I would invest in some quality caves and lots of bog wood.
I breed most of my Hypans in small tanks under 20”

I have had success with L411, L129, L410, and L270 in tanks under 20” x 20”
I have had success with L002 with 5 females and 1 male in a 24” x 24”

So it’s just getting the conditions right and a bit of luck.
Picking the fish is also a major point look for nice plump females and males that show an interest in caves would be a starter not a rule just a pointer.
I like to buy groups and grow them on but do find once I have spawned a fish a few times my eyes wander to the next project.

One mix I do find is the most unproductive is Trios
I have a trio of L410 and for quite some time the male would breed with one female and then the moment the other female showed signs of being ready the eggs were discarded and all his attention was on getting this female to spawn.
I finally cracked it with separating them and getting the spawning spaced out.
 
Marsbar

Marsbar

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Apr 26, 2009
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Lincoln
I have bred many different Hypans and I think the most important things are 1.conditioning your fish 2. having the appropriate sized cave 3. good oxigenated water flow in the cave direction.
I have found groups & single pairs are just as good as each other as long as you get the basics right. Raising the fry is a different matter, some males are very good at raising their young and others are poor, but I do find single pairs have less hassle raising the young. I have removed the eggs to raise the young but its high maintenance looking after them removing bad eggs etc
much easier leaving them with the male if you can.
Good luck
 
Irene0100

Irene0100

UK Support Team
May 14, 2009
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I agree, with hypans it can be better to have a small colony , maybe 5 or 6 or more if tank big. I have 4 adult L270 in a 4x1 tank, only one male is breeding and one female, the other two just watch -lol. (but there are two males who have had the odd scrap)
Then I have 6 L46 in a tank with just one pair breeding.
but other species are different. with BNs i dont have more than one male in a tank, same with small panaques - i find the males fight.
 
rickyjjuk

rickyjjuk

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Jun 3, 2009
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All good advice which i will take on board :thumbup: I have since found out that Ancistrus are best kept with 1 male in a tank too Irene :yes:. I have also come to the conclusion that with my hypans that a group of 5 or 6 is better and seems like a happier enviroment with them rather than just 2 or 3 :dk:. And with my L134 i still havent got a clue what works :dk::dk::dk: they seem to be the hardest i have found to keep happy and the most aggresive too imo? Need to give them space and its hard to get the male interested in any female, any ideas folks ????
 
Bigjohnnofish

Bigjohnnofish

Global Moderators
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Apr 15, 2010
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in my opinion the more the merrier.... more choice more options for the fish

i have 16 x 66's in a 2 foot tank 70ltrs with 6 caves and wood... but its the one male and 3 girls that do all the breeding... others vary in size from 5-8cm and dont seem to interfear with any breeding...

i do prefer more girls than boys if possible... but having said that i have 3-4 girls and 6-7 male 397's in a 2 foot tank with continuous spawning... sometimes 3 caves in a row all full of fry.... :thumbup:

also found if the fish have all grown up together from fry they seem to get along better than mixing and matching adults at a later date...
 
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