New to L134's Have eggs NEED ADVICE!!

[lizzj]

Hi All,
I have a group of 8 L134's that I acquired a few months ago. I have them in a 29 gallon with a marineland bio-wheel filter built in the hood and I also keep a sponge filter going. I did a massive (90%) water change tonight because I was behind and I noticed 3 eggs in the gravel. I then checked the cave and sure enough, Daddy is in there fanning away on a clutch of eggs.
I found a local guy and went and bought an egg tumbler and I put the 3 eggs in there. They are still sticking together.
This is my first experience with breeding plecos. I don't know how old the eggs are. I hope the big water change didn't hurt them.
What do I feed the fry if they survive? I have experience raising angelfish fry, so I know how to do a brine shrimp hatchery if need be. I feed the adult L134's mainly earthworm sticks and I mix in some sticks that have krill and veggies.
Anything important I need to know?
I never expected to get eggs because I think I have 6 or 7 males with only 1 or 2 females. I guess it only takes one of each!
I have read all the breeding reports that I can find relating to this species.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Lizzj

 

[AusPleco]

Just ensure there is water floor over the eggs to aid in preventing fungus, once they hatch they will eat the egg sack before beginning to look for food.
Things such as algae wafers or fresh veg should be fine and ensure you have a bit of driftwood for them and water changes to maintain water quality.

edit: I also believe the 134's may also like meatier type foods however not 100% certain

 

[Doodles]

Hi lizzj

Have a look at the L134 profile particularly the breeding logs attached to the profile, lots of info that should help you out

http://www.plecoplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1752

 

[Irene0100]

well done!
eggs often stick together, that is not a problem.
90% w/c is very severe , with or without young , that can be a big shock. depends on how different the new water is, but risky anyway.
I never do more than 30%, but usually do 10-20%.
is the male still fanning, ie has he some eggs left?. if so I would just do 10%w/c every other day.
the eggs will hatch into a wriggler, an egg with a tail. keep them in gentle moving water until all egg sack absorbed -several days, then release or put on fry tank and feed several times a day. eg crushed flake, ZM100, brine shimp if you wish.
good luck

 

[lizzj]

I normally don't do that big of a water change, but it needed it. Yes, the male still has a big clutch of eggs in his cave that he is tending to. The 3 i put in the tumbler still look ok, I don't see any fungus or anything.
What is ZM100?
Thanks for all the help, i really appreciate it!

 

[Doodles]

ZM100

http://www.zmsystems.co.uk/index.php?app=gbu0&ns=catshow&ref=Fryfood

 

[Joby]

Congrats on the spawn :woohoo: All good advice already given, good luck with the eggs I'm sure you'll have wrigglers soon

 

[lizzj]

Update
I have 3 wrigglers in the egg tumbler. I guess he is still tending to some eggs in his cave, I can't see in there and I read that it is bad to shine a flashlight.
They are tiny!
How long does it typically take for them to absorb the yolk sack?

 

[Joby]

Congrats on the wrigglers :woohoo:

They should absorb the sac in approx 7 days, just keep an eye on them then offer finely crushed food or bbs. Hopefully dad has a lot more in the cave with him

 

[lizzj]

The ones in the tumbler hatched and I could see their little bodies moving. Next morning, they were all turned white. Dad is still in the cave, I can't get a good look in there.
What caused them to turn white?
Anything I can do to prevent that from happening to the one's that are still in the cave?
Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it.

 

[Doodles]

I would leave dad to it, if you scare him he could end up kicking all the eggs out. Have these guys bred before?

 

[lizzj]

I have only had them for a few months, this is the first time they have bred for me.
I don't know if they were breeding before I got them or not.

 

[Joby]

Sorry the ones in the tumbler didn't make it, hopefully dad will have better luck with the ones in the cave :yes:

 

[toddnbecka]

I occasionally find a clutch of BN eggs that got kicked out of the cave. I just move them into a net breeder in front of a filter outflow and they hatch/develop just fine.

 

[Joby]

Keeping water movement over them is essential, you're basically trying to do the job that the male does while he fans them