Hypancistrus zebra, 15 years later...

[ElTofi]

Hi you all,

it's been a while since I last opened a new topic.

Well, after a few efforts, I had the opportunity to find a "new" group of L46. It all began with an "old" customer, stopping fishhobbying, who came back to me with 3 F2 from my own breeding group, back in 2003-2007. At first, they stood in a 900 liters (quarantine) together with L134 (from that time, they had been sold to a newbie with full energy and time and competence : they spawned a few weeks after the deal), Hypancistrus sp L201 (which are now in the bottom of the big inner pond, hidden in the wild hardscape) and a few Retroculus.

From a few months, they joined the 180x40x40 Xingu in the living room, alone with 5 Baryancistrus xanthellus L81. During the transfer, I already noticed a few fry I hadn't seen in the 900 liters. But at this time, I had no time, no energy, no material for an artificial care. They got lost in the living room tank, without any hope of surviving.

Last Friday, I notice I had a "supposed" pair in a cave. It seems my efforts of the last months begin to pay. I indeed have a (very small) spawning. A tiny 5 cm female laid eggs and they are covered by a 6-7. cm male.

Believe it or not, but it's a very special emotion, something like coming home again... I'm gonna do what's necessary for this clutch to hatch and to raise the fry... wait and see. The only question is : after 15 years, will I still have the know how ?

PS : after all the problem in the big tank, it's a very good news and a relief for my passion. I needed that kind of "event" to heal my fish-energy.

[ElTofi]

[ElTofi]

[Jools]

Nice to see. I have often gone back to fishes I've kept. I am currently considering a massive shoal of clown loaches, not something I've done since I was a teenager. Given your "big tank trouble", this is heartening to see.

Cheers,


Jools

[ElTofi]

comment appreciated... really...

I often write on forums and FB just to share my good (and bad, these days) experiences. But with this "big tank trouble" (call it disaster) I got quite a few marks of sympathy and it helped... including in searching for the root cause by brainstorming the chronology and the changes.

[TwoTankAmin]

I'm gonna do what's necessary for this clutch to hatch and to raise the fry... wait and see. The only question is : after 15 years, will I still have the know how ?

If you can still change water and feed good food, the dad will do the rest. One of the reasons I settled on plecos, especially the Hypans, to work with was the fact that they did all the real work.

The fact that you have a spawn means you have already done the most important things and have not forgotten anything.

[bekateen]

Congratulations! Yes this must be a boost to the emotional health.

Cheers, Eric

[ElTofi]

on this spawning, only 4 larvae... but after all this time, still great to see again

[ElTofi]

2nd spawn on going. With another male and in another cave. It seems I always have the know how... and they still have their own trick too...

I wouldn't have though it was such a pleasure to have these "common" zebra breeding again. But it really is.

[ElTofi]

and 3rd spawning on going... 2 pairs are on going in two differents caves.

[ElTofi]

quite common from a long time... but a real pleasure in my tank, after my issues with the big inner pond...

the 4 fry from 1st spawn.