PlanetCatfish.com

Just wondering if it would be possible to have either a formula for cave sizes (as close as it can be) or for each species to show a reccomended cave size and even shape?

Just an Idea though

Regards
James

Yeah, wouldn't that be helpful? LOL

I also asked that question before (here: Home-made pleco spawning caves), and the answer I got was this: Generally speaking, there are no set rules for optimum size or shape.

• Of course the fish need to fit in the cave, but maybe not all the way (for some species, the dad may be fine hanging half-way out of the cave, as long as the mom is trapped all the way inside). But it's my impression that deeper caves are better than shallow caves: I think longer/deeper caves may allow the mom to place the eggs further in, reducing the risk that dad kicks out or loses the eggs before they hatch.
• Since the male needs to be able to trap the female, the entrance can't be too large or she'll escape (this may be one of the most important factors). I translate this to mean that the cave entrance should be only slightly larger than the fish's widest dimension (usually, that would be the girth of the mom through her midsection). Be careful here: It seems to me that these fish are remarkably good at squeezing into tight spaces, so you shouldn't overcompensate and make the cave entrance too wide/big. On the other hand, don't make the cave so small that the fish can get stuck and die inside.
• From other threads that have been posted recently, I'm guessing that Panaqolus prefer wood caves, although that may not be universally true.

That's what got me making my own caves - to eventually make a lot of different shapes, sizes, proportions, entrances, etc., so fish can have choices.

I think you'll just have to experiment, friend.

Cheers, Eric

Usually go for the height of the fish plus half the length of the dorsal fin ray by the width of the fish and about 2/3rds of the pectoral fun ray. All of the fish should be able to hide in it. In my experience fish that are hiding or guarding will go right in. Prospective fathers will not.

Because of the variability and range of experience, it's not something I plan to add to the site programmatically.

Jools