'Scaping for those elusive plecos

[pleconut]

Hi folks was wondering, first to get some tips ideas ect but also to get your opinions on layout design for those elusive plecos that we often keep as i'm getting 2 more L397s for Christmas. In the last tank i kept my L397s in, it was basically the bare bones of what they required, caves, wood which i gradually increased over time BUT still ensuring i could see all of them at the same time, I had some early losses from original group so this came out of my concern to confirm they were all present. Now I've moved them from their old tank it has a lot more decor ie wood being that they're panaquolus I've tried to make it a bit more natural for them now that I'm confident that they are all well established. However I can still see a head (or tail) they may think they are hiding for a count up each day it takes me a bit longer but as long as i get to see each one and from what I see all is well I'm content. What are your tips techniques, opinions, etc on layout design for those elusive plecos?

[catfishchaos]

I have a simple foundation for those guys. Utter chaos... Especially for Panaqolus sp I think a stable but random wood pile with caves either drill into the larger pieces or ceramic caves wedged into the structure. Try to make as many natural caves, crevices secret passage ways as you possibly can (in a wood tangle it happens quickly wether you like it or not. Agains its important that the tangle is very secure to prevent any sort of collapse. Only downside to this is that it will be close to impossible to do a head count. In my tank the only time I see my

Panaqolus maccus

is when I catch them off guard and even then I rarely see more than 2 at a time out of my 4. Most breeding reports I've read have a general theme to them, those who where trying just gave up and shortly after they got eggs, it seems as though are plecos don't enjoy are prying eyes and therefor its important they have places that they can go where we cant see them at all.

It might not look super pretty but nature doesn't always care about looks.

[pleconut]

Could I have a balance of both a wood tangle area maybe on top of slabs of slate and with caves under the slate they get to hide if they want to but I get to see their tails sticking out of a cave to check they are all present every couple of days that's kind of how I have it now.

[bekateen]

Yes that sounds fine. But I don't think you need separate (balance) the two; I think you can mix them together: Place some caves under slate ledges and other caves in the tangle if wood, and additional wood on top of the slate.