PlanetCatfish.com

I can get hold of some clear 4 inch diameter 'PVC' pipe from work and wondered whether it's suitable for hiding, or would my plecos feel vulnerable in it?

I would try to grow some java fern over it so it gives some cover but still the opportunity see whoâ??s hiding in there.

Clear pipe = good idea or not?

I tried something available here in the US called a "ghost house." It's a clear plastic tube that comes in a few different sizes. I think it's original intent was to provide a sense of security for fish with limited vision and allow you to view them at the same time. I tried one first with the Chaetostoma, but he preferred the driftwood and rocks over the clear plastic tube. The L-147 was the same way. I left it in each tank for 7 days with no luck. I think I'm going to search for better "cave" accomodations for them. I'd like to prepare for breeding, someday in the future. I see some of the nice caves people have in pictures, but I don't know how to make one. I tried using tiles, but they didn't hold together so well. I saw a web site that features caves that are species-specific:
http://www.rosenthalpottery.com/cavecatalog.html
I may try a few of these.

Cheers for the info Bronzefry - looks as though I'll give it a miss then.

I'm pretty sure that the fish will not see a "clear" pipe as somewhere safe to hide... It will rather see it as a "nothingness"...

Now, if it was smoke-coloured or something like that, that would be a different story...

--
Mats

I've only bred a few community species, so I'm not an expert, but I'm glad I could help. I just try to observe what happens and I hope I don't cause any stress to the fishies. After the fact, I thought about the info Shane passed along with his articles on placing backgrounds on tanks, and how this lessens stress. I imagine this would be the same thing, but on a much smaller scale.