Do plecos/L397 breed year around?

[Woodh]

Because I am going to have so many in that case, don't know what I would possibly do with all so probably best to just separate in that case? Have atleast 13 fry and next male is sitting on eggs and then I saw the previous male having a visitor just now and it doesn't seem the female(s) get any smaller.

Also is there much risk in separating the males from females? Heard that the latter can get egg bound and die.

Any tips? I mean it's fun and all but what to do with all fry? Sure I can keep some in the tank I guess and maybe sell a couple but then?

[bekateen]

I've never separated the sexes, so I don't know how likely females are to become egg bound. However, yes they breed all year round, but in my house they slow down in mid-late autumn then start back up in mid spring.

And yes you can become overrun quickly.

Cheers, Eric

[Woodh]

I've never separated the sexes, so I don't know how likely females are to become egg bound. However, yes they breed all year round, but in my house they slow down in mid-late autumn then start back up in mid spring.

And yes you can become overrun quickly.

Cheers, Eric

Ok that's what I feared What do you do with all your fish if you get overrun? Guess I could turn some in to the pet store for credit but I suspect they wouldn't take 100s which is what I suspect this will end up with(also I don't really like giving them to that place since it's a very likely death sentence). I guess atleast the plecos are happy.

Might be destroying the eggs is a viable option? But feels kinda mean, I could never make myself euthanize healthy fry etc but eggs I probably could especially considering I do eat them, not pleco ones of course but still.

I really hope mine slow down aswell maybe I should try feeding less but then the fry that are already there might suffer.

[bekateen]

I turn some in to LFS, I sell some to a nearby wholesaler, I sell some privately or at my fish club and I donate some to fish clubs and conventions. I've stopped collecting eggs now and I let fry fend for themselves. Fewer survivors.

Cheers, Eric

[Woodh]

I have decided that I will separate them, don't think the market is large enough around here to support a constantly breeding colony and frankly I don't like giving them up/have a hard time separating from ones born here.

Do you think a 15gallon would be large enough to house 2-3 females, not sure if there are 2 or 3 females in the group of 5.. I am sure there are 2 males and 2 females(along with some smaller dither fish)?