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Well, perhaps you should do something with the cave, but I think thats probably the best way to do caves for cave breeding catfishes. And they are very natural looking!!!

What did you use the make that kind of cave?
I've spend days doing my "BNT" caves, but perhaps I will work with stones in the future!
My "BTN" Caves that I hope to breed L128 in...





/Cristoffer

Natural stones are not really easy materials to work with. Generally I think ceramics and clays are the most suitable materials for making caves. Of course wood too if wood eaters are kept. Very nice caves U got there

Today's update...
I have 19 fry left. I helped them all out of their shells tonight. It took some practice, but I think I know the technique now. My prediction is that the worst period is over. I expect one or two more to die due to damage of the yolk sac. It is strange to see how much they/me have struggled with the hatching. The Ancistrus triradiatus eggs in a separate breeder box pops out of the eggs like popcorn. No worries there

Today's image:

beautiful.

The one on the right is definitely a male...look his fins....

Keep us updated Haavard....Your posts are more than informative and interesting....


Keep up the good work...

Thank you husky jim and Jon:) The one on the right is definetely a male. The one on the left is probably a female, but not 100% certain yet

I feel somewhat more relaxed about the fry. Looking forward to seeing hints of dots, and adult coloration.

You're the man congratulations!!!!

your pictures are always so amazing, your tanks your fish your deco..I know I have said it before but I just love them! this is my new desktop background picture at home on my computer!



Just simply stunning.

thanks for the use of your photobucket.

Thanks Andy:) Send me a pm with your email adress, and I shall send you a bigger version for your desktop.

Todays update.... Everything is fine with the 18 remaining fry. Maybee I will loose one more due to damaged/strangely shaped egg sack. The male seems comfortable in his cave again, and I hope to get a new batch soon. Because of the plastic breeder box it is impossible to get really good pictures, so I will transfer one fry momentarily to an all glass tank for photography. I shall post a picture later this evening.

Pictures in a phototank:

wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow

Grattis Haavard,

Looking great.

Impressive!

Is it the male from the previous pics?????

It is amazing to see the 'story' as it continues.........The pigmentation on him has started........

Can't wait for new pics......

Thanks everyone

It is nice to share the story. Can`t imagine how lonely it must have been before the Internet. There were of course other medias, but nonetheless!
Anyways:)
The count is now 17. The last one to die was the last one with injury to his yolk sac. All the remaining fish are without any visible defects or injuries. I bet most of them will be ok. The male had a female visitor in his cave a few minutes ago. It is difficult to see inside the cave, so I can`t be sure if she left anything. The cave is very deep.

wow good work sir

them pics of the adult l200's are absolutly amazing and i will defiantly set them as my desktop

good luck with the fry and i really hope you have another spawn coming

Yesterday I was thinking that maybe I shouldn't`t post pictures of the fry every day. Tonight I am thinking that this is a live thread, not an article, so maybe it would be best to at least post post pictures every day as long as the fry develops significantly every day, and maybe post less pictures as the metamorphosis to adult shape is completed. I can of course choose to use less images in a future article, so why not post everything?
My convolution is of course to post everything as long as there is some progress to be seen. I bet this means posting every day for at least a week. Really looking forward to experimenting on food items for the juveniles. I bet crushed canned peas are a good start

A couple of minutes ago I was working in the tank to raise the front of the cave as suggested by Apistomaster above, when a female left the males cave. This seems to become a potentially productive winter I have several adult females by the way, so another breeding attempt this soon should be possible anytime.

It is obvious how proud you are to have this happen and it is great that you share with all of us, your pictures are always top notch.Those of us that have followed along with your posts also know how much work you have put in, to get these results.
So keep on posting.

[email protected]


could you send me a larger version of that photo as well?

thanks.

This is a amazing thread! I have been follow it for a long time! GREAT JOB!! I love you pictures and fish and decos!! GOOD LUCK!!!

I also wish for you to keep telling us every step ! It's wonderful reading and viewing!

I am very proud indeed The count is still 17

The male have a female visitor in his cave. The caves entrance is tilted around 25degrees upwards to avoid the eggs from falling out. This time the male will finally get a chance to take care of eggs/fry unless something unexpected happens. Photographing the inside of the cave is nearly impossible. The male won`t accept the cave when the opening is towards the front of the tank (I have tried several times). To view the inside of the cave I have to see through 130cm of aerated water from the right side of the tank.

Today s picture update:

wow, they are developing so fast! can they move with that big yolk sac attached to them, or are they stuck in one place?

They move around like plecos

The alpha male is guarding a clutch of eggs again

Water parameters this evening:
Temperature 30.4
Ph 7,6
Gh 3

Haavard Stoere wrote:They move around like plecos

The alpha male is guarding a clutch of eggs again

Water parameters this evening:
Temperature 30.4
Ph 7,6
Gh 3

Fantastic news again!!!!!

Wow! very very impressive Haavard, a little Hemiancistrus factory you've got there! The fry also seem to be developing well.

All is well The count is only 16 cause I accidentally lost one fry in the main tank. It will probably be ok. No nasty fish in the tank.

You make breeding of L200 look easy! Amazing!

Hope the male will keep the eggs this time!

Superb news!!

Cristoffer Forssander wrote: Hope the male will keep the eggs this time!

The greedy part of me wants to steal the eggs, and let him have a female visitor again in a few days. I think I can control myself

Haavard Stoere wrote:

Cristoffer Forssander wrote: Hope the male will keep the eggs this time!

The greedy part of me wants to steal the eggs, and let him have a female visitor again in a few days. I think I can control myself

My inclination would be that you are better off NOT stealing the eggs. The father has naturally evolved for millions of years to look after baby Loricariidae. Humans are poor replacements. When I have tried to "rescue" Bristlenose babies, my personal results is much worse than the father's results.

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Mats