Breeding set up for an ancistrus sp. 4

[James16]

This is my tank which I am hoping to breed ancistrus in.

Apologies for the blue light on the left and side, this is going to be changed for a standard one soon.

I currently have a single ancistrus in there at the moment. Not sure what gender.
The small fish are the remaing guppy fry, to be moved on in a couple of weeks when they reach a decent size, in exchange for panda cories to join my current ones. The neon is one of a small shoal in the tank, making up the rest of the fish.

Tell me now if this won't work and I'll give up :dk:

 

[GrubbyGirl]

hello Jamie

It's hard to tell as it seems to be a youngster. Females do have some short bristles around the lip, males have bristles around the lip but they also go up the nose, so keep a look out for bristles going up the nose. The tank looks good. Does that cave have a back to it? They will enjoy hiding in a tube, but will only breed in a cave with an enclosed end. Good luck with your project.

By the way it looks like you have an L144 there not an albino - not sure if you knew that??

 

[RobHarrison]

Hi James your tank looks to be fine for breeding a pair of bristlenoses id say you have a male L144 from your photo and the caves/tubes look a little too big as well ideally they want to be quite a tight cave, if you search ebay for pleco caves you will find something more suitable, if your looking for a pair of bristlenoses look through the classifieds on here or put a new thread up "wanting ancistrus pair" once you have the fish and the caves you already have bogwood its then down to your water changes/feeding and the plecos themself.

Good luck

 

[James16]

Thank you for your support and advice so far, I really want to do this right and am very excited about this. I have only being keeping fish for 8 months so I'm still quite new to this.

I think I am going to change the caves for more specifically designed ones, do you think it would be okay to place these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2X-BREEDING-CAVES-DECORATION-PLECO-CATFISH-13cm-/250692357486?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item3a5e6dcd6e#ht_1750wt_1137 in place of the current ones?

 

[RobHarrison]

Yes those caves would be fine size wise, before you buy ask the seller if the caves are open backd or closed you want a cave not a tunnel i have bought caves off ebay and found out they were open ended doh!

 

[James16]

Okay so I spoke to my Dad about buying some slate caves and he said to me, " Use you initiative and make some." :wb:

So do I just need some slate something to cut it to the right size with and aquarium sealant or something similar? :dk:

 

[Steve C]

Okay so I spoke to my Dad about buying some slate caves and he said to me, " Use you initiative and make some." :wb:

So do I just need some slate something to cut it to the right size with and aquarium sealant or something similar? :dk:

You can get 3 caves for £10 including postage on ebay, sorry cant look at your link or post ebay links as am at work. By the time you get aquarium sealant, slate and something to cut it with, unless you intend to make loads to sell then probably cheaper to get them on ebay.

 

[GrubbyGirl]

If you're just making a few caves it will cost you more to get all the gear together to do it. Those caves are fine but a tuny bit pricey - look around you find them cheaper even on ebay of check out AC like these:

http://www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/php/detail59_106789.php

Round ones http://www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/php/detail59_178644.php

http://www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/php/detail59_164927.php

Most will do caves the right size for your fish, just tell them what you have.

I just got a young male L144 to go with my 3 girls and he's already dancing around with his bum hanging out trying to attract the gals.

Good luck

 

[Steve C]

Hi, look here 4 for £10

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-x-Breeding-Caves-LOOK-/160475580821?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item255d170995

 

[rpp1973]

Hi, look here 4 for £10

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-x-Breeding-Caves-LOOK-/160475580821?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item255d170995

:clap: check they are made and ready to post. and not a long waiting list:lol:

 

[FF MkII]

:clap: check they are made and ready to post. and not a long waiting list:lol:

Yes!! unless you dont mind waiting for around 4 months i would find another supplier lol

 

[James16]

Thanks for all the advice so far.

The pipes have been chucked and are soon going to be replaced by slate caves.

Bob, the l144 has started growing bristles up the front of his "snout", so I take it he is definitely male? If he is I will be on the look out for a female L144. I don't mind waiting so if any of you guys have bred them I would be interested, though I live in Devon and am 15, so getting them to me could be a big problem :wb: :cry:

Thanks

 

[James16]

Also, my grandfather has some slate roofing tiles and a cutter, would i be able to cut these to shape and silicone them together?

One more thing, the interpet filter that was in my tank packed up, so i'm now running a fluval U2.

Can a mod change the name of this thread to, L144 Breeding Setup please?

 

[James16]

Just a couple of quick questions.

1. Whats the best dimensions for caves, i was thinking 12 cm x 4 cm x 4 cm lwh

2. Would it be beneficial to siphon the sand out bit by bit and go bare - bottomed?

3. Would it be necessary to switch to a sponge filter? Where would I get one from?

Thanks

 

[rpp1973]

Just a couple of quick questions.

1. Whats the best dimensions for caves, i was thinking 12 cm x 4 cm x 4 cm lwh

2. Would it be beneficial to siphon the sand out bit by bit and go bare - bottomed?

3. Would it be necessary to switch to a sponge filter? Where would I get one from?

Thanks

In quick answer to your questions
1= sounds ok size
2= No ( better to have a thin layer of sand on the bottom as it stops a bacterial forming on the glass that can kill baby plecs.
3= depends on what filter your using ? you could always wrap a internal power filter in some filter foam or put a sock over it to stop young getting sucked in!
i wouldnt bother switching

Rob.

 

[GrubbyGirl]

2= No ( better to have a thin layer of sand on the bottom as it stops a bacterial forming on the glass that can kill baby plecs.

Rob.

I've heard this a few times but never actually found the evidence that this really happens. All bar one of my tanks are bare bottom and I have never had a problem, on the contrary since I have been bare bottom I can forget testing for nitrates as daily siphoning removes all the muck that just sits around in decomposing gravel and sand. I don't undersdtand what bacteria only grows on the bottom of the tank and not the sides??