And now I have pleco eggs

[traco1]

So, I've had a male and female brown BN pleco in my 29 gallon along with my assortment of sword and platy fry. I moved some stuff, gave the tank a better cave and tonight I was looking at the tank and thought "uh, oh, looks like a snail was expelled." It turns out it was a snail eating the pleco eggs on the tank floor. Out came all the snails and I turned and peeked in the cave and saw more eggs attached to the wall. They are brown so who knows if they are fertile.

I guess the dad being new just left the eggs for the snails to eat and wasn't too great with guarding them? Boy, have I got some learning and reading to do. I can't believe what I am getting in my tanks. How cool is all this, heh?http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_30_125.gif

[CACAdmin]

Congrats! Hope they are fertile. (I know nothing about breeding plecos so can't help you out there).

[traco1]

Thanks, Jay. Well, I guess this is what keeps us learning, some new eggs or fry pop up and I have to go research.

[jordonsmum]

YAYYYYYYYY See, patience IIIISSS a virtue :laugh: :;): Now all I need to do is find some... heh heh... CONGRATS!!! I'm so excited!! Guess it's time for coffee again.

Hey, take notes! When my Albino BN pleco's get started, I'll know who to hit up for help.

[happy_pitbull]

This is what my plecos eggs looked like.


http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=3161045


More yellow than brown... or maybe it is because my BN's are albino??

Also, new males may kick their eggs out by mistake, mine have done that as well. I just put them in a place with lots of water flow, or in a floating container with a low flow air stone to keep the water circulating around them.

Try leaving the eggs that are stuck in the cave in there, as the male may go back in to fan them.


Good luck !

Min

[traco1]

Min, yep, that's what the eggs look like. I've got the pot underneath the AC so gets some water flow going through, I think? Would that be enough? Of course, I could wake up tomorrow and they might be gone but at least I know the male and female get along! lol

Kristy, notes, hmmm .... well, about the only thing I did was invert a clay pot up against a rock and right away, he scooted under there, so I guess that was his seal of approval. Well, that, and the female gave the seal of approval too by visiting him and laying the eggs.:laugh:

[Melody]

Cool!

[happy_pitbull]

See this thread for a close up shot a forum friend of mine took (he is from New Brunswick)... http://www.eastcoastaquariumsociety.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?id=10700


And see this thread to read about my first breeding experience:
http://www.eastcoastaquariumsociety.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7592


Good luck ! Sounds like you have it under control ! Just keep up the water changes :)



Min

[traco1]

Thanks Min, for the reading links. And I've got them in a bare bottom tank which definately helps with keeping things a bit cleaner.

[Katalyst]

Just checking in to annoy you for photo's...Can't see any yet? Well get your scuba gear on already woman! :twitcy:

Congrats on the eggs! Pamelajo breeds them so I'm sure she'll chime in with words of advice. I recently got 5 of her little beauties and I love them!

[traco1]

I will try and get some pics tomorrow, just for you.

[Katalyst]

I will try and get some pics tomorrow, just for you.

I <3 instant gratification! Thanks for putting up with me Barb!

[Pamelajo]

Hi guys,
Until my male picked a cave I was finding eggs on the bottom of the tank. Once he picked a cave then attracted a female to lay her eggs in it. Then he guards it relentlessly. After about 7 days the eggs will hatch, but usually stay in the cave/barnacle until their egg sack is pretty much used up and they are able to maneuver better, they start to venture out. Sometimes a little one with egg sack will venture out early. I find they always use the same cave. I did an experiment and switched males with my long finned and the female would have nothing to do with him. As soon as I put in her first mate they were off and breeding again. Once they start they will continue, no stopping them.
Hope this helps.

[traco1]

Thanks Pam. Good info to know. I was thinking I would put a silver tip female in there also to see if I get more fry but then smartened up. I don't want to have so many fry that I can't look after them all properly (water changes, etc...)

The eggs are still there this morning.http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_17_211.gif

[Pamelajo]

That's good news. Fingers crossed here for you.

[hp10BII]

Good luck...better make room for more tanks!

[Katalyst]

:pompom: I'm so excited for you!