slate cave

kerwin1 · Post by **kerwin1** » 20 Dec 2006, 06:57

I've just got a slate cave and the internal dimensions are 3.3cm wide x 2.3cm heigh x 14.2cm long would this be bid enough for a queen arabesque pleco?

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 20 Dec 2006, 12:38

What size is the QA?

The cave needs to be "just big enough for the male and the female at the same time" - and that depends on the actual size of each fish involved, there's no "predefined" size that is right for a particular species.

[I'm moving this to the Loricariidae forum, as I do think it's more to do with the family of fish than tanks].

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Mats

kerwin1 · Post by **kerwin1** » 20 Dec 2006, 17:16

it's not really for breeding just a place he can hide, would a fully grown adult ( 3-3.5 inches) fit in it?

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 20 Dec 2006, 17:19

Should be OK. 3.5 inches -> 8cm, so I guess 14 is sufficent, and they do prefer a tight fit, so the width/height is fine too, I should think.

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Mats

kerwin1 · Post by **kerwin1** » 20 Dec 2006, 17:26

and also just wondering are they good algae eaters?

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 20 Dec 2006, 18:18

Hi Kerwin

No these fish do not eat algae. They love algae wafers however, but these are more fishmeal than algae.......

Have you tried a forum and site search? There is loads info to be found on L260.

Also, husbandry for most Hypancistrus is pretty much the same, so things that apply to H.zebra for example will also apply to L260.

.

kerwin1 · Post by **kerwin1** » 20 Dec 2006, 18:55

thanks I'l have a search around the site

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 21 Dec 2006, 11:50

I just added to the Cat-eLog info on :

A definite carnivore, and absolutely not an algae eater.

I probably should add that to all .

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Mats

Jon · Post by **Jon** » 21 Dec 2006, 18:37

I dunno; all of my hypancistrus seem to have somewhat of an affinity for vegetable matter of all sorts in addition to their legendary meaty bent.

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 21 Dec 2006, 20:21

I dunno; all of my hypancistrus seem to have somewhat of an affinity for vegetable matter of all sorts in addition to their legendary meaty bent.

Very good point Jon.

My Hypancistrus love veg, especially broad/fava beans.

However eating veg is very different from eating algae, which they do not do.

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Jon · Post by **Jon** » 21 Dec 2006, 21:09

I was referring to the "obligate carnivore" part of the post.
Broad beans, you say? I will have to try this out in the near future. Thanks for the dietary tip ;). I have some onhand from a while back when I was trying to dine healthfully

. Too bad they smell like death.

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 21 Dec 2006, 21:47

I buy them in cans and freeze them in a bag.

They are very simple to feed as they require no preparation.

Just pull a couple out of the freezer and drop them in the tank.

Panaque and Leporacanthicus love them too.

.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » 25 Dec 2006, 19:07

Thanks for the tip, mate:

;)

kerwin1 · Post by **kerwin1** » 26 Dec 2006, 09:19

instead of a queen arbesque i might now get a bristlenose between 4-5 inches the the cave be too tight?