Looking to breed something

[Derek]

Hi folks looking to breed some kind of plec. I have a 36x12x12 tank ready to setup for a plec only tank for breeding. Since I have no experience in breeding these types of fish I am looking for advice.

1.Should I go for a plec,whiptail or ancistrus sp.
2. A group or a pair?
3. Should there be dither fish?

I am heading down to ferrybridge at the start of the next month so im looking to get something there.

Any tips?

 

[Lornek8]

Common Bushy/Bristlenose (Ancistrus sp.) is probably best to start with. Then probably Hypancistrus next. A pair should work though a trio would probably be better. Dithers can help, especially those that breed readily in the tank as the hormones can help trigger the plecs.

 

[Derek]

What fish would you suggest as dithers lornek8?

 

[Lornek8]

Guppies, corys, various tetras. Also want to be sure dithers won't prey on plec fry.

 

[Derek]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Irene0100]

small corys are good but not large growing ones as they will eat fry.
some type of ancistrus (BN) would be best to try first.

 

[Derek]

Thanks Irene I read your article last night. What about adding cherry shrimps? Or would they just become a snack?

 

[Doodles]

Cherry Shrimp would be ok with the plecs but they will be food for most mid/top swimmers that can fit them in their mouth plus they breed prolifically. Some Amano shrimp might be a better option as larger, personally i have never had problems with them and eggs.

 

[MUTLI]

I've found peppermint brislenose are a good fish to practice with, they look absolutly spectacular as well

 

[Irene0100]

I keep cherry shrimp in most of my tanks. more because I cant get rid of them now I have them. I would rather just have them in one or two tanks so I have them when i need them. good for putting in fry savers with eggs as will clean any fungused ones up so does not spread. most of my dither fish done eat them, maybe they snack on some of the tiny babies that keeps the numbers down a bit, but the adults hide in the plants.
if you want any cherry shrimps you can have some for the cost of postage.

 

[Derek]

Just a quick update folks, I've been cycling my tank for a while now so I thought I would upload some pics of what it looks like. the current inhabitants are a trio of Cherry Barbs. Plant wise there is some Hydrocotyle sp.Japan. One of the shops i'm visiting at the weekend has L144's so I thought I would get some to start my pleco breeding journey. They cannot be sexed at the size they are so I was gonna get 4 do you guys think that is a good number to end up with a pair/trio?

Daytime lighting

Evening Lights,although I prefer this better as its quite subdued.

 

[bigbird]

very nice indeed. 4 should be ok. My suggestion when you pick them is get 2 smaller ones and 2 larger ones. Also 2 with a larger belley. Just my tips. cheers jk :thumbup:

 

[jumon]

Hi! nice project you have here, I started with common BN and it is very encouraging cause they are easy to breed!
I never heard about "dither fish" and google translation does not help me to understand "dither"; Is it something that moves a lot? what is the purpose?

 

[bigbird]

Bonjour Jumon,

A dither fish is a fish that is used to make other fish or Ls feel at easy and at home. I compare it to walking into a room with just you. You feel uncomfortable. Now a dither fish is like adding 2-3 people in this room. It makes you feel a little more safer. Dither fish also indicate to the Ls that it is safe and brings them out a little. I use rummy nose tetras and glow light tetras. I also have some corys in some tanks. It makes the Ls feel more at easy. have a nice day merci jk :thumbup:

 

[jumon]

mmm... I see, I thought completely the opposite! that they would feel better alone than with some disturbers, It is because I prefer to live alone than with roommates XD
Ok so other fish, not only bottom dwellers but some tetras will do..

Thank bigbird

 

[Derek]

Just an update folks. I have fry in the tank but it ain't my clowns . The cherry barbs have been going mentle and there's fry all over the place. So im just gonna keep them going and grow the fry up for more breeding, will probably get another pair for some fresh blood.
The clown plecs have been eating well and are putting on some weight. They have also been showing interest in one another too. Still dunno what sex they are mind you as when the led hits them they all look spiney. I have some plastic pipe 1 inch wide would this be safe to put in the tank? If so would I need to block an end of to create a cave?
On a final note I got two new additions for the tank I got two small sturisoma aureum which are such an awesome fish very active and I think they are helping the clowns with their shyness.

 

[bigbird]

normally PVC piping is ok. Is it used for plumbing originally or not ? I would place some filter foam in the end or even buy a pvc piping cap from your hardware store. cheers jk :thumbup:

 

[Derek]

Cheers JK. It hasn't been used for plumbing.