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Hey guys I'm looking to attempt to breed common plecos, I have an empty tank at the moment, It's 55 gallons, hang on back filter, heater. I have raised plecos before but I'm getting bored with it and I want to take a shot at breeding them, I never bred fish before and I certainly have no interest in raising guppies. If anyone can enlighten me on how to go about this or if there is an easier catfish to breed please tell me.
Thanks, Jim

Given the fact that "common plecos" get huge you'll probably want something far larger than a 55g if you're attempting to breed them. There are many far better choices for first-time breeding projects, bristlenoses, Pekoltia Spp., Hypancistrus Spp. etc. Have a browse thru the cat-e-log or some of the articles if you're looking for inspiration.

David R wrote:Given the fact that "common plecos" get huge you'll probably want something far larger than a 55g if you're attempting to breed them. There are many far better choices for first-time breeding projects, bristlenoses, Pekoltia Spp., Hypancistrus Spp. etc. Have a browse thru the cat-e-log or some of the articles if you're looking for inspiration.

Well I was planning on breeding them, and getting rid of the jist of them once they get like 1 or 2 inches Long. I have a bunch of friends who would take them off my hands I would just like to breed some sort of catfish and I though plecos instantly cause I think they are such a cool fish, I'm not interested in like guppies or tetras lol. Do you have any information on how to breed them by any chance?

Common plecs have been bred in captivity but not in regular tanks I believe. Considering that they do grow really big, they are most probably bred in ponds.
The idea of breeding common plecs is a pretty rare thought. But, if you have the means and the right climate to set up a pond, why not?

tagamasid1023 wrote:Common plecs have been bred in captivity but not in regular tanks I believe. Considering that they do grow really big, they are most probably bred in ponds.
The idea of breeding common plecs is a pretty rare thought. But, if you have the means and the right climate to set up a pond, why not?

Thanks for the information, would you have any other idea for any other small cats I could breed in my tank? Any info is greatly appreciated.
Jim

Jim3h wrote:Hey guys I'm looking to attempt to breed common plecos, I have an empty tank at the moment, It's 55 gallons, hang on back filter, heater. I have raised plecos before but I'm getting bored with it and I want to take a shot at breeding them, I never bred fish before and I certainly have no interest in raising guppies. If anyone can enlighten me on how to go about this or if there is an easier catfish to breed please tell me.
Thanks, Jim

Do you mean common plecs, like the ones that get 18+ inches, or do you mean common like standard bristle nose?

Cheers

krazyGeoff wrote:

Jim3h wrote:Hey guys I'm looking to attempt to breed common plecos, I have an empty tank at the moment, It's 55 gallons, hang on back filter, heater. I have raised plecos before but I'm getting bored with it and I want to take a shot at breeding them, I never bred fish before and I certainly have no interest in raising guppies. If anyone can enlighten me on how to go about this or if there is an easier catfish to breed please tell me.
Thanks, Jim

Do you mean common plecs, like the ones that get 18+ inches, or do you mean common like standard bristle nose?

Cheers

I didn't mean any specific pleco, I was seeing what the community had to say, apparently the bristlenoses seem to be easier to breed, if breeding won't be easy with plecos, just tell me flat out. I would like to breed some type of catfish I have no preference but I just thought plecos because I like them. If you have any knowledge on breeding any type of catfish, plecos or not please tell me
Thank you, Jim

Jim3h wrote: I didn't mean any specific pleco, I was seeing what the community had to say, apparently the bristlenoses seem to be easier to breed, if breeding won't be easy with plecos, just tell me flat out. I would like to breed some type of catfish I have no preference but I just thought plecos because I like them. If you have any knowledge on breeding any type of catfish, plecos or not please tell me
Thank you, Jim

Ah ha, this is an entirely different proposition.

The common pleco, is a big monster of a thing, most likely in the near impossible category, as they get so large.
Breeding of many other species is relatively easy.
From the standard bristlenose which can be as simple as male fish + female fish + cave + water = babies.

In the Shane's World section you can find many breeding articles
http://www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworl ... n&mode=all

Basically you just need to decide what you want to try and breed.
David made some good suggestions as these fish are generally easier and are readily available.

David R wrote: There are many far better choices for first-time breeding projects, bristlenoses, Pekoltia Spp., Hypancistrus Spp. etc. Have a browse thru the cat-e-log or some of the articles if you're looking for inspiration.

Cheers

krazyGeoff wrote:

Jim3h wrote: I didn't mean any specific pleco, I was seeing what the community had to say, apparently the bristlenoses seem to be easier to breed, if breeding won't be easy with plecos, just tell me flat out. I would like to breed some type of catfish I have no preference but I just thought plecos because I like them. If you have any knowledge on breeding any type of catfish, plecos or not please tell me
Thank you, Jim

Ah ha, this is an entirely different proposition.

The common pleco, is a big monster of a thing, most likely in the near impossible category, as they get so large.
Breeding of many other species is relatively easy.
From the standard bristlenose

Ancistrus cf_cirrhosus

which can be as simple as male fish + female fish + cave + water = babies.

In the Shane's World section you can find many breeding articles
http://www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworl ... n&mode=all

Basically you just need to decide what you want to try and breed.
David made some good suggestions as these fish are generally easier and are readily available.

David R wrote: There are many far better choices for first-time breeding projects, bristlenoses, Pekoltia Spp., Hypancistrus Spp. etc. Have a browse thru the cat-e-log or some of the articles if you're looking for inspiration.

Cheers

Thanks for all this information, I think I'm gonna go with bristlenoses, when I get them what is the easiest way to distinguish the gender? And should I buy one male and one female or one male and multiple females? Also is there any way to kind of set them off to breed? Like changing water temp? Or should I feed them more heavily or less? Thank you!
Jim

Like the above poster mentioned, most (if not all) bristlenose plecos are very easy to breed. And they are usually the least expensive option for plecos. All you need is a male, a female, clean water, a place for them to lay eggs ( a cave is best), and just let them go. 1 male and 1 female is usually enough, as they have 50-100 fry at a time. There are also many different types of bristlenose (BN). Do a little searching and pick 1 that you like. Good luck.

Jim3h wrote:Thanks for all this information, I think I'm gonna go with bristlenoses, when I get them what is the easiest way to distinguish the gender? And should I buy one male and one female or one male and multiple females? Also is there any way to kind of set them off to breed? Like changing water temp? Or should I feed them more heavily or less? Thank you!
Jim

Hi,
there is plenty of research that you can do on this site.
If you click this link:
then that page will have information on sexing etc (near the top), and some links to breeding reports and other information (near the bottom).

Cheers