A positive sign?

[Paul]

I've got 4 L260's (3female 1male), one of the females and one of the males always cave up in different caves. The past few days I haven't seen anything in the caves. Earlier today I saw the male fanning around a lot in his cave, watched him for a good hour then I had to go out.

I'm not entirely sure if there's a female trapped in there too, because they choose hiding spots in the tank where I can't see them at all. I can see 2 females I'm not too sure if the 3rd's in there or not. He's not fanning now, but he is sitting right inside the cave instead of sticking his tail and body out like normal. A female just tried going into this cave and soon darted straight back out and to the other side of the tank.

I don't want to disturb the male in case something has happened. Is this a good thing that's happened? A bad thing? Could he be on eggs?


Paul

 

[thegeeman]

He's not fanning now, but he is sitting right inside the cave instead of sticking his tail and body out like normal.

Could he be on eggs?

Sounds like he could be Paul:yes:

My male will sit at the edge of the cave when he wants to spawn and then once the deed is done he sits on the eggs right at the back of the cave. He doesnt fan the eggs but just sits there mouthing them

Good luck

thegeeman

 

[Irene0100]

sounds promising.
see if he stays there or comes out to feed this evening.
yes you are best to disturb as little as possible but need to watch in case he kicks eggs out or anything. often first clutch is infertile or partly infertile and he will throw out eggs he does not want, and sometimes gets it wrong and throws out good ones. he is still learning himself. sometimes they are fanning a bit but hard to see cos often they use the fins under the tail, not the tail. has he chosen a cave where there is a reasonable water current in front of it? the more water movement at the cave the less fanning he needs anyway.
good luck

 

[Paul]

He's moved to a different cave this morning, guessing nothings happened


Paul

 

[FF MkII]

Any activity around a cave is a good sign.

 

[thegeeman]

He's moved to a different cave this morning, guessing nothings happened


Paul

As FF said, Hanging round caves is a good sign.

Keep up with your water changes and nice quality foods and they will spawn

Cheers

thegeeman

 

[Paul]

Should I remove most other hiding places so there's only really the caves to choose? Sort of forcing them into them?

It's a 110L tank with 2 filters turning over 1000L p/h.


Paul

 

[thegeeman]

I would be inclined to leave them as they are for now and see how they get on. Moving things around might unsettle them and then you will be back to the start.

You never know they might be having a few dry runs and selecting which cave they prefer

Cheers

thegeeman

 

[Paul]

My male and one of my females have never bred before or been with partners to breed. My other 2 females are the one's I got from Kev, so your old one's gee. The male 80% of the time caves. One of the females I got from Kev caves about 50% of the time, the other two just never go near them and stay under some slate/ocean rock.

How many caves do you recommend having in there for these 4? I have caves that are about 3/4" in length which they choose to cave in, and bigger one's that are about 5/6" in length which the males chosen once, but never again.


Paul

 

[Irene0100]

I liketo leave plenty of caves to choose from but not everyone does that, I guess its what works for your fish. I also leave plants and wood as well as caves.
patience and regular w/c are the best recipe.
god luck

 

[thegeeman]

It really depends on them Paul. Like I said I would leave them alone for abit as the male might be getting into spawning mode. Changing things around now might put him off for a while. If they dont breed after a few weeks then just have a cave for the male and then see how you get on.

This is my queen set up which shows the single cave at one end of the tank and directed slightly into the return flow.

Cheeers

thegeeman

 

[Paul]

Here's my set up. Is this too many caves? The mother was complaining about them lying around in my wardrobe so I just put them in...

The male caves in either the middle cave on the left side, or the first 2 on the right side (going from the rock to side). The female caves in either the middle or right one on the left hand side.

Paul

 

[PlecoLad-UK]

that would be so so good if hes looking to breed already, only dropped him off last week Glad hes settled in well Paul, he always did deserve some ladies for company lol!

 

[thegeeman]

Paul. I cant really tell you how to set up your tank in order for your queens to breed. I can only go by things I have learnt. The caves seem ok and if he is happy moving about in them then cool. I am not so sure about the rocks you have in the tank and if they might affect your water parameters. The depth of the sand also looks abit to much for my liking, I believe that it can cause problems if it compacts down. I cant remember exactly but its some sort of gas that can be deadly to the fish.

Just keep watching them and do what you think is best.

Cheers

thegeeman

 

[scatz]

anearobic gases build up in pockets under deep sand from bits and pieces rotting beneath it, its fine so long as you turn it over regularly.
i would remove some of the caves if it was me, there may be too much choice for just one male, buts thats just my opinion

 

[Paul]

well I came home tonight and ... The male has a female trapped inside and he's fanning around a lot. Did a 10% water change earlier so hopefully this has got them going?

Fingers crossed


Paul

 

[thegeeman]

Fingers crossed as well mate:clap::clap:

Cheers

thegeeman

 

[scatz]

certainly sounds good Paul, best of luck

 

[Irene0100]

keep hoping, otherwise it might just be a practise. good luck!!
I also would worry about the depth of sand. have you any MTsnails to help dig into sand?
you will need to turn the sand over every couple of weeks and that causes distirbamce to breeding set up. I have under .5 cm sand in my breeding tanks and where they fan it becomes bare bottomed. even then i check for trapped sand under caves whenever doing a major clean out . I lost some lovely fiosh years ago, being ignorant of this potential threat and fish shops advising lots of sand (never trust a fish shop unless you know they personally keep plecs!)

 

[Paul]

I normally turn the sand over once a month. I've just had to re-seal my spare tank, so the 260s will be moved into that soon and will be used as a breeding only tank.

I think the male still has the female trapped but unsure. He's still sitting in the cave anyways.


Paul