Ancistrus laying period

All posts regarding the care and breeding of these catfishes from South America.
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dreamcat
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Ancistrus laying period

Post by dreamcat »

Wednesday night at 10pm i caught my female Bn coming out of the male's cave. In true cinderella style, she dropped an egg on the way out, so i know why she was there...

What i'm wondering is do they lay all in one go, or will she take a day or two to complete the process? I'm planning to transfer the rock, complete with male & eggs into the breeding tank, but i'd rather wait til she's 'finished'.

Also how true is it that the males eat the eggs? Should i remove him once they've hatched? How many days will that take?

Yes, i know, i sound like a new parent... Any advice welcome, and thanks,
nim
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Yann
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Post by Yann »

Hi!

Usually they will lay the eggs in a continous way, with a few break, the whole process can last for several hours, but it is unlikely that she will start laying eggs and then stop for several hours and lay again, but another female can surely come 1 or 2 days after and lay her eggs as well, even if the male is already guarding a brood...

the eggs will take around 7-8 days to hatch depending of the water t° and the male guard them until they have totally absorb their yolk sac.
If the male eat the eggs, he has either being botherd by other fish or even you looking at the cave and trying to remove him, so you shall let him do his father work...

What are the other fish in the tank?
If you are planning to remove him and put him with the cave in a other tank, make sure the water from the other tanks as the same water parameters, you could fill it with some water of the main tank...
Cheers
Yann
Don't Give Up, Don't Ever Give Up!
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dreamcat
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Post by dreamcat »

Hi,
Do they hatch faster in warmer water, at what temp? (I don't want to rush them, i'm just curious :D )

In the current tank i have 3 cories, an oto, danios, neon, black widow & rummynose tetras, 2 young boesmani rainbows, and 2 small asian bumblebees, but i saw a danio fit a whole egg in it's mouth (just) so i don't trust them. The small tank has water from the main tank, and i change it regularly.

Thanks
Nim
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Yann
Posts: 3617
Joined: 30 Dec 2002, 20:56
I've donated: $20.00!
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My cats species list: 81 (i:0, k:0)
My BLogs: 2 (i:3, p:90)
Spotted: 109
Location 1: Switzerland
Location 2: Switzerland
Interests: Catfish mainly form South America, Cichlids, Geckos, Horses WWII airplanes, Orchids

Post by Yann »

Hi!
Yes they hatch faster in warmer T°...
Eventually wait for the young to have hatch before transfering the cave with its load in the other tank...
Cheers
Yann
Don't Give Up, Don't Ever Give Up!
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