Do plecos/L397 breed year around?

All posts regarding the care and breeding of these catfishes from South America.
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Woodh
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Do plecos/L397 breed year around?

Post by 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? ~X(
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bekateen
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Re: Do plecos/L397 breed year around?

Post by 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
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Woodh
Posts: 165
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Location 2: Sweden

Re: Do plecos/L397 breed year around?

Post by Woodh »

bekateen wrote: 15 Sep 2022, 00:22 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. :YMPARTY:

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.
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bekateen
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Re: Do plecos/L397 breed year around?

Post by 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
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Woodh
Posts: 165
Joined: 14 Apr 2021, 12:28
My cats species list: 6 (i:2, k:5)
My aquaria list: 1 (i:1)
Spotted: 7
Location 1: Linkoping
Location 2: Sweden

Re: Do plecos/L397 breed year around?

Post by 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)?
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