40 Gal breeder tank - stock ideas?

[sixftsam]

Heya there guys! hope everyone is doing well. Been visiting here on and off for a while now getting a good idea about catfish in general. I've just bought myself a new tank, 21 inches cubed, making it around 40 gallons i think.

I've got a main display tank set up already, and would like to use the second tank as a breeding tank. I've come to the people in the know, and decided to ask what you guys think would be a good L number to breed in there? I wont have any other tanks to move the fry to, so ideally it would be a species that can stay in with the parents, and the tank can be set up from scratch appropriatly for whatever happens to go in there.

I'd like a challenge in some ways, but i know space restictions are in place, so all options might not be available. While i know there isnt a lot of money making in breeding, i would like something at least a little rare, not something you see in pet shops all the time that would be hard to get people to take off your hands.

Ive read a little about L046 breeding but not sure i could set up the right eco system within the space id have available? Any ideas would be welcome, and any ideas where to get the starting fish for a colony would also be great. Any ideas for a good dither fish to have in with a colony as well would be appreciated.

Thankyou in advance, Sam

[Bas Pels]

as a cubed inch contains 15.5 cubic centimeters, I'm afraid a 21 cubic inch tank would contain some 0,33 liter.

I've got beerglasses with larger volumes.

Perhaps you would care to list its dimensions? Or dit you mean (21 inches) cubed, thus 21* 21 * 21 inches? In that case it contains some 130 liters

The contents would be acceptable for L046, but these like to have current - which is hard to provide in this shape of a tank

[sixftsam]

Ah yes, i appologise! its 21 inches by 21 inches by 21 inches, its a seabray tank if that helps at all? i believe its just over 40 gallons in US, 33 gallons in UK, or 151 liters. If i had 0.33 liters, id be lucky to be breeding daphnia!

If L046 would have current problems in a cube tank, is there something else which may suit the cube shape more? or is there a way to provide the current within the confines of the shape im working with? My heart is far from set on L46, i just know its a bit of a challenge, has been done before, and there are notes about how to breed it online.

If anyone has any ideas for other catfish or plecs, feel free to throw them my way. Im working within the confines of what i currently have, so it may be that some species go out the window, but some things i havent even thought of may love my cube?

Thankyou for the first reply though! Sam

[slakey]

Have you thought of breeding corydoras?
I've heard they're quite hard to breed, and as long as you get the not so often seen corydoras like the Black Peru Corys, you could make some money there, as at my local fish store they went for £8 each!!! I got two one of them has died since then, and I'm on the waiting books for them to get more in and they haven't... it's been atleast 2months of waiting and nothing.

So that may well be something to look into. Not sure if the dimensions of that tank would be suitable or not though...

[apistomaster]

I could breed and raise Hypancistrus zebra in that tank so if you decide to try and fail, just let me know.
Our US style of 40 US gallons is 36"L X18"W X 16" T. I have six on one steel rack and plan on more whenever I can find the space. I consider these to be very close to the ideal aquarium for breeding and raising many species of aquarium fish. Cubed tanks like yours are better suited for use as a Discus breeding tank but it is sufficient space for small plecos.
Corydoras usually require about three tanks to consistently breed them. One for storing breeders, one for spawning and one or more for growing out what can be a considerable number of fry. There are a few species of Corydoras like C. weitzmani for which there is a window of opportunity to make a little money before they become a mass produced commodity from SE Asian fish farms. These opportunities are very transient for any breedable and popular species.

[sixftsam]

Thankyou for the feedback guys. I'm now in the process of making the stand and setting up lighting on the new tank, so things are finally getting underway! I have decided that L066 seem the best choice to breed in the end, a challenge, but within my price range at least!

Does anyone have any information on usefull tips that may help in regards to setting up a breeding colony? from the male:female ratio, to dietry help, to what sort of terrain (logs, stone, sand, gravel, anything!). Ive read the article on the species page in the cat e log, but any other information would deffinatly be appreciated!

Finally, does anyone in or around the Surrey area have any L066. Ive seen some shops with them asking around the 25-35 pound mark. Would rather buy from a local enthusiast where i know they have been well cared for if of the same size etc.

Thankyou again for the help guys, sorry for the barrage of new questions!

[Richard B]

If you ever want a change from L no's you could have a go with

Synodontis lucipinnis

[sixftsam]

interesting choice richard, i must admit ive been focusing on L numbers because of their size, history of breeding in captivity, price range, and their ability to sell. Ive got to admit i dont know much about the catfish you listed so had a read, and was interesting reading at that!

The fry seem to be VERY slow growing, so would take a considerable time before anyone would purchase them id imagine? plus would the fry be safe in with the parents?

[Richard B]

The fry are ok in with the parents but a lot of people move them to give them growing space & to encourage the parents to spawn again - they are not too slow to reach saleable size (about 3/4" is the smallest i've seen on sale).

Mine came from a guy "up north" who had a 'production line' going with these with many different generations all evident. Once you've got mature adults they are not difficult at all & the young should be no problem to shift.

[Richard B]

Or you could try

Synodontis sp(2)

which can also be bred...