Barnacle Condo

[CACAdmin]

I added a new barnacle to the BN tank today (not much left of the old one and I know the BNs love to use them as caves.

Well, it was a hit. I came home tonight to find 3 adult males each having chosen their spot in the "Barnacle Condo". Each trying to lure a female into their "den". :laugh:

3 tails waving for attention:
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/Barnacle-and-BNs-3.jpg

When that doesn't attract a female,
they take turns coming out of their caves,
hanging in the doorway as if to say,
"Pick me, pick me":laugh:
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/Barnacle-and-BNs-1.jpg

http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/Barnacle-and-BNs-2.jpg

[Bina]

Those are great pics !!
It's the Fish version of the Bachelor....hey sweetie, swim into my Barnacle ;-)

[CACAdmin]

The one to the far right has now been taken over by an albino male instead and also a fourth opening (just below the one on the left) has also been taken over by an albino. No one is fanning eggs yet so although the competition is fierce, the females are making them play the waiting game. :laugh:

[Bina]

The ladies want dinner and a movie first... LOL

[mikebike]

Hello,
it is always a thrill when the Plecos start occupying the caves.

[CACAdmin]

The ladies want dinner and a movie first... LOL
:laugh: Probably... and maybe they're even waiting until Valentine's Day to see which male produces a box of chocolates. :wink: :laugh:

[Kimr]

The ladies want dinner and a movie first... LOL


And more then just one dinner and movie! Nothing is gonna happen on the first date :Smile:


Jay, those are excellent photo's! They sure love their new condo!!!!

[CACAdmin]

Thanks, Kim. They're probably thrilled because there wasn't much of a barnacle left and so had only driftwood and one of my homemade caves to hang out in. I guess the males figured new digs would impress the ladies.
And more then just one dinner and movie! Nothing is gonna happen on the first date :Smile:
:laugh:

[Bina]

Kim is right.....it's best to wait for the 2nd date.
AND Valentine's Day.
Jay, drop in some of that sprirulina-crack and keep us posted !

[CACAdmin]

Well, at least one of the gals gave in on the first date. I have eggs in at least one of the condos with the male busy fanning them.

[Rabadswompe]

woo hooo! :red_dance:

[Pamelajo]

The is awesome that they have turned it into a condo.

[CACAdmin]

The is awesome that they have turned it into a condo.
I couldn't believe it when they did... usually only 1 or 2 take up residence in a barnacle that size. It seems like it's "Prime Real Estate" to them this time. :wink:

[Ursus sapien]

congrats! great looking bristles, too, btw.

[CACAdmin]

Although I can't see in, one other male hasn't left his condo either and is continuously fanning... so I suspect there is another batch of eggs in there, too... could be wrong. Time will tell.

[Bina]

Crossing fingers for you !

[CACAdmin]

Papa is keeping a bunch of wigglers coralled in his condo. (As for the other male, I can't tell if there are any in his condo or not).

[Bina]

Papa is keeping a bunch of wigglers coralled in his condo. (As for the other male, I can't tell if there are any in his condo or not).
you must be so excited !! :High_Five:

[CACAdmin]

I am as this is the first time I've actually been able to see them before the venture out of the cave (usually the angle is wrong or the opening obscured by plants.

[rowansd]

That's great! Where do you get barnacle??? What other types of "caves" can I put in my tank for them?

[CACAdmin]

Fish stores often carry them. I've bought them here at Paul's Aquarium (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/announcement.php?f=76) but that doesn't help you much being on the other side of the country. I also managed to one up at our local club auction and from other members.

If you can't find barnacles, you can make some caves yourself (you'll find ideas for some under Caves in the DIY index (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9914)).

[CACAdmin]

Lots of fry in the den from what I can see. Here's papa at the door of his condo guarding against the chance of any escapees.

http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/Papa-BN-guarding.jpg

[silvak]

I wonder if that's another reason male BN have bristles, to help keep the fry in the cave.

[CACAdmin]

I wonder if that's another reason male BN have bristles, to help keep the fry in the cave.
I'm sure they must help in the task.

[Bina]

Patiently waiting to see those fry :-)

[CACAdmin]

I snapped this picture this past evening of the first escapee from Papa's cave.
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/BN-fry-1.jpg

One additional note. I figured as the eggs had hatched and Papa was busy keeping the little'uns in the cave, I could net out some of the other adult BN's.

Well as it happened, I guess I accidentally netted out another male who was guarding eggs or fry. When I put him in the bucket with the other BN's, he kept trying to climb up the side of the bucket to get out... completely out of the water. I guess instinct was such that he felt that he absolutely needed to get back to the fry/eggs ASAP and any way possible. Twice I shooed him back into the water and again he tried to climb out.

When I put the net in the bucket he practically jumped into it. When I returned him to the tank he dove for the gravel saucer cave & straight into it and hasn't come out since. I figure he must be busy either fanning or guarding wee ones (like a good Papa).

Amazing how powerful the instinct is to raise the young.

[Kimr]

Wow that is amazing how his instinct took over!

[CACAdmin]

Wow that is amazing how his instinct took over!
I figure it either had to be that or he was absolutely terrified of one or more of the females in the bucket. :laugh:

[Bina]

Yay, babies !! That male in the bucket must have been cursing you out something fierce ;-)

[CACAdmin]

Yay, babies !! That male in the bucket must have been cursing you out something fierce ;-)
I'll bet he was.

Here's a pic (a little blurry) of papa at his "condo" entrance with a couple of wee ones hanging out on top.
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/BN-papa-and-fry.jpg

[Sweetpea]

Adorable picture! They are so sweet, and those parental instincts really are so touching.

[Bina]

Oh, that latest baby pic is great !

[CACAdmin]

Thanks! Those two are just the escapees (papa is still trying to keep the rest coralled... who knows for how much longer he'll succeed:skeptical: )

[Bina]

Plec and Cory babies are amazingly cute.

[CACAdmin]

Plec and Cory babies are amazingly cute.
Oh they sure are, although as I have never kept cories, I've never had the opportunity to see newborn fry firsthand... they must be adorable.

[mollybawn]

If only all fish had parental instincts like this!

[Bina]

If only all fish had parental instincts like this!

If only all humans had parental instincts like this....:yes:

[Sweetpea]

If only all humans had parental instincts like this....:yes:

:) SO, SO TRUE!!!

[CACAdmin]

:) SO, SO TRUE!!!
:yes: