Raising, Sexing and Breeding Plecostomus Catfish

[GreatDane]

Hi,

Im new here! My name is Nevyn. I live in Perth, Western Australia. I have been fascinated by Plecos for years and have not owned any except two stunted Bristlenose, whom I still have. Today I bought my first Pleco! I love them so much. I would really like to breed them.

I have a huge pond in the backyard; If I set it up as a tropical environment would they thrive in there? or would it be better to breed in an Aquarium?

How do I sex them? Is there any way?

How old do they have to be to breed?

And how so I induce breeding?

Thanks, I hope you can help me!

Nevyn

[Caol_ila]

Hi!

Can you better define what pleco you have? Pleco is just the overall term for the suckermouths.

[GreatDane]

Hi!!

It is a Common Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus)!!!

Does that help??

Nevyn

[Silurus]

How do I sex them? Is there any way?

From the Cat-eLog:

Large adult males possess thickened pectoral fins that turn reddish pink. Gravid adult females appear thicker when viewed from above

[Elspeth]

It is a Common pl*co (Hypostomus pl*costomus)!!!

You sure about that? I thought this is what I had -- the pet store had 'em labelled in Latin -- but we're pretty sure I have Liposarcus, not Hypostomus.

I'm betting it depends somewhat on where you are (different suckermouths being considered "common plecs" in different places).