My L46's bred

plecoboy · Post by **plecoboy** » 17 Nov 2004, 13:00

I never thought I would be sharing this with you, but on tuesday,I noticed one of my zebra plecos guarding eggs. I just about sold these guys and then this happens. I had cleaned out the 29 gal tank about 3 weeks ago dropped the temp to 78F, forgot about it, and when I cleaned out the tank Monday night I added 5 gallons of plain old tap water. I cranked the temp to 85F and now I have eggs.
Now the kicker is that I only have 3 plecos and probably only one female. I added some Meth blue and hopefully all goes well. I just thought I would give a ray of hope to those still trying.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 17 Nov 2004, 13:04

Congratulations...

Best of luck with the fry.

And of course, once they've spawned once, they'll probably do it again...
--
Mats

stina · Post by **stina** » 17 Nov 2004, 14:51

I think you will NOT sell this zebra's now...right?!

Well, congrats, and just like MatsP says...they will do it again

ClayT101 · Post by **ClayT101** » 17 Nov 2004, 15:00

Congrats!!! That is great news

Post by **Barbie** » 17 Nov 2004, 18:03

Congrats plecoboy! For future reference, don't add methylene blue again. The male will keep the eggs from fungusing, as long as he got them fertilized. It can interfere with your biological filtration in the tank, and just honestly isn't required. From what I've read, the first spawn of many types of plecos aren't fertile, but that doesn't mean you should give up on them, by any stretch of the imagination. The fact that they've spawned at all means they can and will again. Good luck with these!

Barbie

Boots n all · Post by **Boots n all** » 19 Nov 2004, 20:29

Well done, seen that you are able to see the male on the eggs any chance of a photo, please

plecoboy · Post by **plecoboy** » 23 Nov 2004, 20:12

Sorry, I can't. I lost the eggs, by the way. I expected to. Hope they keep trying.

Post by **Barbie** » 23 Nov 2004, 20:33

My first spawns from both the L260 and my L46 were infertile. It's still definitely a good sign! Just keep doing what you've been doing!

Barbie

fishboy20 · Post by **fishboy20** » 24 Nov 2004, 00:58

Congrats on the spawning. You are more then half way there. Hope mine spawn sometime later this next year. Good luck with them!

doctorzeb · Post by **doctorzeb** » 25 Nov 2004, 20:33

Nice one Plecoboy.

This will probably just the start. As barbie sated, the first spawn is usually infertile, however it is quite common for the female to spawn again within a short period of time. Half of the battle is getting a male that is willing, and a female that is interested!

Good luck
rob

plecoboy · Post by **plecoboy** » 25 Nov 2004, 20:56

I was thinking of purchasing a couple more zebras and putting them in the 29 gallon tank with the recent breeders. Bad idea?

Alan_au · Post by **Alan_au** » 26 Nov 2004, 07:33

Just doing some conversions,,,,29 US Gal = 21.75 Imp Gal = about 98 liters.

Mmmmm I'd stick with the pair that have spawned give them another few months. See if you don't get another dozen or twenty zebs to grow on in there.

I would be reluctant to change anything in that tank for the time being.

Question is,,,,What happened to the eggs ??? If they were duds and the male disposed of them ?? a poss,,,,,,,see how the next lot go.

Alan

Post by **Barbie** » 26 Nov 2004, 08:42

I would think you'd be fine giving a confirmed mature male a few extra females. I have 7 in a 40 gallon long tank doing marvelously. I'm sure your mileage may vary. My first spawns of eggs from both the zebras and the L260 were infertile but they got it right the next time, no problem.

Barbie

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 26 Nov 2004, 09:24

Alan_au wrote:Just doing some conversions,,,,29 US Gal = 21.75 Imp Gal = about 98 liters.
Alan

<Pedant mode on>
1 US gal = 8 us pints = 8 * 16 fl oz = 3.6 L
1 Imp gal = 8 imp pints = 8 * 20 fl oz = 4.5 L

29 US gal = 23.2 Imp gal = ~105 L
<Pedant mode off>

--
Mats

plecoboy · Post by **plecoboy** » 28 Nov 2004, 13:43

The eggs just disappeared. I might add just one zebra. since the other 3 seem to just hang out in one half of the tank. Thanx for all the advice.