Pseudacanticus

[Tommi]

I have three small Pseudas in my maintank. L273 and L65 had a big fight about 6 months ago and I took some pics of it.









Yesterday I noticed that L273 is not eating but only sitting in cave. Today same thing after I dropped shrimps in. All other plecos are eating well. I took a flashlight and checked the cave where L273 is in and saw young fry with huge sacks under their bellies. So he was guarding his babys but who cave him eggs? That L273 is around 15cm, L65 is 10cm and LDA73 is 8cm. I also have bigger baryancistus in there, L200's, L142's and 13cm L48. I quess I have to take those babys to floating tank and feed them good cause I dont think they'll survive in my 1200 litres tank with all those cichlids.

I have had several babys from hypancistus and peckoltia before but this is first time with pseudacanthicus or any other bigger plecos. Because eggs already hatched, fry must be over a week old and I found it just now.

[PseudaSmart]

You are to be congratulated for having so many spawns from different species. I hate to bring bad news but it is highly unlikely that they are a Pseudacanthicus cross. Based on the sizes you provided and the great photos, all 3 Pseuda's are barely half grown. You should check the cat-elog to verify. More than likely another pair spawned and the 273 took over the cave. They can be very aggressive! In any event you will soon know when they become free swimming. Please take photos of the fry and post them.

Jim

[wrasse]

superb photos!

[Janne]

Not totally impossible that the L273 male guard eggs since the L65 he fight with is a female.
If the L273 male would take over a cave with other pleco's eggs or fry he would eat them as snacks, very good protein source.

Janne

[Tommi]

The cave where L273 is now is in first photo. My L142's cant fit in cause they are all over 23cm long. I dont have any pairs in my tank, I've been waiting those L142's to spawn but I quess they are all males.

I know those Pseudas are small and I dont know their age, but I have had L273 for about 5 years and L65 for about 4 years. LDA73 just came in a month ago.

I never though those fish would cross and that was never my plan. There are small L273's on store now but they are very prisey. Im trying to raise those babies but not gonna sell them. Those pseudas we have in stores are around 5-6cm and its not possible to tell sexes. It would also take years and years to raise them and I cant really afford several species.

I'll add photos when something happens.

[PseudaSmart]

You have me convinced. I agreed with Janne that the L65 might be large enough but was doubtful about the L273. Based on the number of years you have kept them they are old enough. It seems like your L273 is very unique!

In every one of my L600 spawns there are always many that never grow larger than 1" and some that stop before 2" ( This is part of the problem with large spawns). I have not received any feedback from people who have my fry that their fish have stopped growing.

Thanks for your post it will be bouncing in my brain for awhile.
Perhaps some of the board experts could provide input on the biology behind size and maturity?

Jim

[Janne]

Perhaps some of the board experts could provide input on the biology behind size and maturity?

It's more about age than size, depending species you can count that plecos get mature when they reach 1/3-1/2 of fully known adult size if the growth is normal.

Janne