Search found 892 matches

by pleco_breeder
21 Apr 2018, 12:13
Forum: Speak Easy
Topic: A complex wrinkle to nitrates in aquarium water. Nothing is ever simple.
Replies: 3
Views: 1419

Re: A complex wrinkle to nitrates in aquarium water. Nothing is ever simple.

I'm rarely ever on the site anymore, but just want to point out a couple of things before I get back to work. First, what they're describing (on the surface at least) is just a description of the dry season. The bigger point is that they're going to have to look a lot deeper than just nitrogen to fi...
by pleco_breeder
14 Oct 2017, 17:07
Forum: What is my catfish?
Topic: ID please? Mystery long nose corys at LFS
Replies: 5
Views: 1827

Re: ID please? Mystery long nose corys at LFS

My first thought was , but have to admit I'm a bit thrown by the dark patch in the dorsal fin. I don't remember seeing that in this species.

Larry Vires
by pleco_breeder
14 Oct 2017, 01:22
Forum: What is my catfish?
Topic: 018 or 081
Replies: 4
Views: 1658

Re: 018 or 081

L18
by pleco_breeder
12 Oct 2017, 08:46
Forum: South American Catfishes (Callichthyidae - Corys et al)
Topic: Breeding of Corydoras
Replies: 12
Views: 3717

Re: Breeding of Corydoras

As has already been stated, the more likely cause is a change in the environment. Nitrogen in any form is actually toxic at the levels we're able to test with aquarium kits. The guidelines generally given are based upon "acceptable" levels and are several orders of magnitude higher than an...
by pleco_breeder
16 Sep 2017, 02:39
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: What's on my Bristlenose?
Replies: 26
Views: 6675

Re: What's on my Bristlenose?

I have to agree with Eric on this. A couple of things to note which makes me believe this. First, bristlenose prefer larger (more open) caves than most other plecos. Some species will outright refuse traditional tube type caves. This is likely the reason so much luck has been had with the coconut sh...
by pleco_breeder
03 Sep 2017, 03:52
Forum: Tank Talk
Topic: Please help out a NEWBIE!!!
Replies: 11
Views: 4234

Re: Please help out a NEWBIE!!!

I would advise either getting her into a box which will separate her and the fry, or at least getting some cover in there to allow them to hide. Regardless of how well she's fed, and I know a lot of old books claim a well fed fish won't, she's very likely to pick the fry off as quickly as they're bo...
by pleco_breeder
01 Sep 2017, 22:21
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Do you actually find L236 in the wild ???
Replies: 21
Views: 6674

Re: Do you actually find L236 in the wild ???

I think this is a bit misleading in that it's assuming that "real", in most peoples' view, refers only to the bright white with crisp black lines variants. There's a MASSIVE amount of variation among tank raised lines of these fish based only upon second-hand information. With that in mind...
by pleco_breeder
01 Sep 2017, 18:22
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Do you actually find L236 in the wild ???
Replies: 21
Views: 6674

Re: Do you actually find L236 in the wild ???

Yes they exist, and have been imported out of Brazil. However, they are not on any positive list, and not available LEGALLY as wild anymore. This is why they are not available via export. I cannot speak for the origin of the fish from Glaser, but am assuming they are coming from a breeder. The authe...
by pleco_breeder
01 Sep 2017, 16:22
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: L260 unusual egg laying location?
Replies: 40
Views: 7894

Re: L260 unusual egg laying location?

The artificial hatching info given by TTA is accurate, and worth a try if needed. However, I'll add that the best method is to allow dad to do the hatching for you. I've had several males over the years which just couldn't seem to keep a batch in their cave. However, they would consistently watch ov...
by pleco_breeder
31 Aug 2017, 20:16
Forum: South American Catfishes (Everything else)
Topic: Xanthic Brachyrhamdia?
Replies: 11
Views: 4493

Re: Xanthic Brachyrhamdia?

Completely unrelated, but am curious what the non-catfish species in that first photo are. Look like old world characin, but have to admit my ID skills in that area are rather poor.

Larry Vires
by pleco_breeder
30 Aug 2017, 00:55
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Unidentified Pleco sold as L437
Replies: 19
Views: 4851

Re: Unidentified Pleco sold as L437

The page you linked says that L437 is a Pseudancistrus. I'm not familiar with the number, or whether the page is accurate of the genus, but this fish is DEFINITELY not a Pseudancistrus. The fish in the pic looks like a Pterygoplichthys, and was probably received by the shop as a "common pleco&q...
by pleco_breeder
29 Aug 2017, 16:39
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: high ph killing rubber lipped pleco??
Replies: 6
Views: 2250

Re: high ph killing rubber lipped pleco??

Mine were broken down before leaving for Japan last year. Initially, it was a very dark green filamentous which only grew to about 1cm. After about six months of operation, it was as if the algae in the tank (not on the scrubbers) literally crashed. I'm talking sheets of dead diatom and brush algae ...
by pleco_breeder
28 Aug 2017, 22:02
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: high ph killing rubber lipped pleco??
Replies: 6
Views: 2250

Re: high ph killing rubber lipped pleco??

I started using algae scrubbers in my fish room about three years ago in order to research them and their effect on water quality, and can definitely say without doubt that they are beneficial. The problem comes in when they are expected to be a "miracle filter", as seems to be marketed. T...
by pleco_breeder
28 Aug 2017, 17:02
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: high ph killing rubber lipped pleco??
Replies: 6
Views: 2250

Re: high ph killing rubber lipped pleco??

I doubt this being directly related to the algae scrubber unless it was being used as the only means of filtration. You don't mention what other forms of filter are on the tank, or the substrate depth, but I've seen issues caused by both when using algae scrubbers. Mostly because they're expected to...
by pleco_breeder
27 Aug 2017, 19:00
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Pseudohemiodon apithanos popularity?
Replies: 5
Views: 1767

Re: Pseudohemiodon apithanos popularity?

It should also be added that there are at least two breeders in the US maintaining actively breeding colonies. Both are generally sold out of them well before fry ever become available, and my understanding is that the price is approximately the same as from the shop mentioned above.

Larry Vires
by pleco_breeder
26 Aug 2017, 16:08
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Is my Pleco ok?
Replies: 4
Views: 1561

Re: Is my Pleco ok?

I'm going to assume that you're referring to the lighter colored blotching pattern on the fish, won't be sure till better pic is available. However, it is common for this genus, and multiple others, to have lighter patches when stressed. I can see this particularly well just below the dorsal fin whe...
by pleco_breeder
19 Aug 2017, 22:15
Forum: South American Catfishes (Everything else)
Topic: Xanthic Brachyrhamdia?
Replies: 11
Views: 4493

Re: Xanthic Brachyrhamdia?

Definitely something interesting. Before looking at the pics I expected to see only a lighter colored fish. However, the first thing that struck me, after the golden color, was the lack of the black spot on the dorsal fin.

Larry Vires
by pleco_breeder
19 Aug 2017, 16:40
Forum: What is my catfish?
Topic: Small Pleco ID
Replies: 11
Views: 3756

Re: Small Pleco ID

Looks like L199 juvenile. Most will develop a more abstract pattern after they've matured, but not always. I am fairly confident of the ID though.

Larry Vires
by pleco_breeder
15 Aug 2017, 17:32
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: My new L397s and Peckoltia compta, imported from the UK to California
Replies: 130
Views: 37071

Re: My new L397s and Peckoltia compta, imported from the UK to California

Thanks, YSR50! Does the line start here for "adoption"? :d Ha! You can imagine how many requests I've received... not just today, but going back to the day I brought the fish to the USA! =)) =)) =)) First things first: I have to raise them successfully. (yeah, there's always that) Once th...
by pleco_breeder
13 Aug 2017, 21:37
Forum: Tank Talk
Topic: L46 Zebra potential setup
Replies: 13
Views: 6221

Re: L46 Zebra potential setup

I'm not real current on the Repashy foods, but have the understanding that Morning Wood is designed for fish which rasp on wood (Panaque and related). If I'm correct on that, Hypancistrus will not really get much benefit to it. You'll want to find something with a bit more meat. Last I used Repashy,...
by pleco_breeder
13 Aug 2017, 21:31
Forum: South American Catfishes (Everything else)
Topic: Breeding Unusual Catfish
Replies: 2
Views: 2522

Re: Breeding Unusual Catfish

A lot of this is going to depend upon tank size, and maybe water quality depending upon what's available to you. There's also a question of how involved you want to need to be in convincing them to spawn. Some fish will spawn just from being in a tank together with proper water and food. Others have...
by pleco_breeder
12 Aug 2017, 01:46
Forum: Tank Talk
Topic: Using deep gravel and bacteria to control nitrogen
Replies: 127
Views: 99056

Re: Using deep gravel and bacteria to control nitrogen

I'm actually glad that you dug up this one. Although the deep sand bed didn't work, there's a lot of important information in this thread that most hobbyists don't generally come across in their everyday studies. IMO, one of the better fish threads on the internet for that reason.

Larry Vires
by pleco_breeder
11 Aug 2017, 22:15
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Otocinclus food preferences
Replies: 8
Views: 2131

Re: Otocinclus food preferences

So, kale is very rich, and some fishes are better not fed with too rich a food - right? I think it's fine for occasional use, and appears to be very beneficial. Maybe a better way of saying it would be "too much of a good thing" or "everything in moderation". I don't want anyone...
by pleco_breeder
11 Aug 2017, 17:32
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Otocinclus food preferences
Replies: 8
Views: 2131

Re: Otocinclus food preferences

I always try to limit the amount of kale fed Why? Kale seems to be quite nutritious.... at least for humans. Thanks. -Barry In part this may be a slight superstition on my part, but early experience seemed to back up statements which went through the hobby during the mid-90's that the amount of iro...
by pleco_breeder
11 Aug 2017, 17:17
Forum: What is my catfish?
Topic: Is this mystery pleco supposed to be here?
Replies: 14
Views: 3096

Re: Is this mystery pleco supposed to be here?

I suspect that this has already been taken into account, but if this is anything of importance for a scientific or commercial interest you're going to likely need to revise against a currently accepted identification key in order to gain any sort of acceptance. While there are a lot of knowledgeable...
by pleco_breeder
06 Aug 2017, 15:58
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Otocinclus food preferences
Replies: 8
Views: 2131

Re: Otocinclus food preferences

With Otocinclus, I normally had the best luck with a mix of algae wafers, kale, and dandelion leaves. I always try to limit the amount of kale fed, but in the case of this genus and a few other closely related it definitely seemed to help keep them in top shape when only fed once a week.
by pleco_breeder
06 Aug 2017, 01:14
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: "aged beef"?
Replies: 10
Views: 2174

Re: "aged beef"?

I don't expect that aging is going to work in your favor, and may actually have an opposite effect of what you're wanting. It definitely can't be doing any wonders for water quality. As for L240, I had rather good results with feeding them, as well as other Leporacanthicus, with scallops. Don't over...
by pleco_breeder
04 Aug 2017, 22:52
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: "aged beef"?
Replies: 10
Views: 2174

Re: "aged beef"?

In fish, the essential amino acids vary based on species. Even within trout and salmonids, easily the most heavily studied, differences in dietary requirements exist. This is one of the reasons it's often easiest to recommend a well-rounded diet. Having said that, Bas Pels is correct in his mention ...
by pleco_breeder
04 Aug 2017, 20:21
Forum: What is my catfish?
Topic: Flat Pleco w/Wide Head
Replies: 16
Views: 3416

Re: Flat Pleco w/Wide Head

I was thinking the same, but that still doesn't account for a 9" length. Even if length is given as total, that would be a massive specimen for this species. Pattern, color, and proportions match well otherwise.

Larry Vires

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