L377 Egg sacks not being consumed ??

[pointpleco]

Hi,

I would love some opinions or help on this.

Back on the 12th of march my L377 spawned, about 5 days later they started to come out or be kicked out of the cave. But the sacks wern't consumed. Over the next 13 days more came out on random days making a total of 28 from the spawn. Then from the 28th until today the 2nd of april i had fry dying, a total of 15 have died.

I have attached 3 photos ( of one that died tonight ) because i think by now the egg sacks should be consumed but they are not and the fry look very fat. Being 17 days old am i right about this. Their bodies look to have formed a good shape and size but they are restricted by the sack.

Any help would be great,

Thanks Macrae

[YSR50]

In my experience it is a water quality issue. My L333 tank has wood, Indian Almond Leaves, and plenty of filtration. I also do, what I would consider, sufficient water changes, however, if I don't use about 1/3 RO water I have the same issue with fry not consuming their sacks. Not sure why, but this only happens with my L333 as I've moved other Hypan, Ancistrus, and Cory eggs into the tank to hatch and grow with no problem.

[stuby]

What temp are you keeping them at?

Chuck

[pointpleco]

In my experience it is a water quality issue. My L333 tank has wood, Indian Almond Leaves, and plenty of filtration. I also do, what I would consider, sufficient water changes, however, if I don't use about 1/3 RO water I have the same issue with fry not consuming their sacks. Not sure why, but this only happens with my L333 as I've moved other Hypan, Ancistrus, and Cory eggs into the tank to hatch and grow with no problem.

Hi YSR50

Ok, yes it's very strange.
My water seems to be good, PH is about 6.6 and Nitrate 40ish (slightly high) Ammonia and Nitrite always 0. I also use Driftwood and Almond leaves and fry went from a tumbler then into a ziss BL-3 breeder box. Thats when the trouble began. I think i could maybe use more filtration, i have 2x sponge filters and a 1000l/hr internal. The breeder box is in the tank (3ft tank) with the adults to prevent any stress of moving to different water conditions. But i don't use any RO water, and have tried to not do to many big water changes as i was worried that would stress them. That could be my problem.

Thanks alot for that info, next time i will try a different approach.
Macrae

[pointpleco]

What temp are you keeping them at?

Chuck

Hi Chuck

They are kept at 26 degrees.

Macrae

[stuby]

Hi Chuck

They are kept at 26 degrees.

Macrae

Temp is fine..... I have seen similar problems when the temp was to high but that isn't the case with it at 26c. As far as filtration.... you don't need a ton of it. I breed plenty of plecs with just air driven sponge filters in the tank. It may be down to TDS to high like already stated, or not enough oxygenated water going trough the breeder box, or water quality?? When I have fry in the tank I like to do small water changes every day or at least every other day to keep the water in good condition. Not sure how often or how much you change but worth a look at.

HTH
Chuck

[pointpleco]

Hi Chuck

They are kept at 26 degrees.

Macrae

Temp is fine..... I have seen similar problems when the temp was to high but that isn't the case with it at 26c. As far as filtration.... you don't need a ton of it. I breed plenty of plecs with just air driven sponge filters in the tank. It may be down to TDS to high like already stated, or not enough oxygenated water going trough the breeder box, or water quality?? When I have fry in the tank I like to do small water changes every day or at least every other day to keep the water in good condition. Not sure how often or how much you change but worth a look at.

HTH
Chuck

Yes i didn't think the temp would be a factor. And i also agree with that as my 2ft tanks are just filtered by 2x sponge filters in each.
My water conditions are always consistent with ammonia and nitrites 0, Ph can vary from 6.8 - 7.2 (all tanks are separate and not plumbed together) and Nitrate 20-40. So it must come down to TDS maybe.

But in the last 36 hrs i have lost about 80 fry over 4 different tanks. Some i change water every 2nd day. And some less often, some are cories and then common bristlenose, peppermint b/n and L377. So i have no idea how this can be happening. Of coarse it's starting to get me a bit angry.

Thanks

[stuby]

Not sure what your TDS is but I have bred the L377 and the TDS was 150ppm to 130ppm and they did very well..... I think it is nitrates being to high for the fry, Some fry are very sensitive to water changes (swings in the parameters) and nitrates. Adult fish handle it better than the fry can..... but it is just a guess on my part too.

HTH
Chuck

[pointpleco]

Hi chuck

Yes I’m sure your right with one of those. I think I need small and more frequent water changes. Reduce all nitrates. And possibly to stop using IA leaves. Maybe they lower the PH to much. then the water changes being a high PH are fluctuating to much.

Thanks for your help mate