Hypancistrus L46 and L260

El Loricadio · Post by **El Loricadio** » 15 Jan 2003, 05:42

Hi everyone, I have 4 zebras that are 3+ inches in a 30 gallon tank. I am planning to purchase 4 queen arabesques (adults also). Is a 30 gallon tank big enough to keep both of these loriicades in the same tank?

The adult queen's that I am getting are much bigger in size than the zebras. They are about 4 inches long, they are also much wider and taller. I can only assume that they are full grown adults.

Has anyone ever kept these two species together? Do they get along farely well? The tank is full of caves, hiding spots, and driftwood.

P.S. My main objective is to breed both of these beautiful species. Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all,
El Loricadio

Easy · Post by **Easy** » 15 Jan 2003, 05:55

If you intend to breed the Hypans...I suggest you use two tanks...a tank for each species...

Yann · Post by **Yann** » 15 Jan 2003, 06:38

Hi!

Easy is right, they should be spawn seperately, even if they look totally different the risk of crosbredding exist.

Usually you could spot that if a male is trap inside a cave ith a different female than one of his own species, as usually it take around 2-3 days before any egg are laid...but it could stress the fish if you check everytime if no eggs have been laid as you don't want crossbreeding fish!

I can talk as I keep my Hypancistrus spp together and I had a crossbred between a male L66 and a female L136 , not really looking the same way... I have kept just one young to get him reference and see how he will look like... but this must not be encouraged...

-> Jools as soon as I get the pic I ll send you some!

Cheers
Yann

El Loricadio · Post by **El Loricadio** » 17 Jan 2003, 05:26

I was also wondering if it is okay to put the 4 L46 and 4 L260 in my 30 gallon tank meanwhile I search for a bigger tank.

The tank I am planning to put them in is a 55 gallon tank. Since it is 4 feet in length I am going to divide it in half with a divider and put the L46 on one side and the L260 on the other side.

If we compare both of the species at the adult stage is there a major difference in size. The queens that I saw are very LARGE in comparison to my L46. Even though I have had them for 1 month only (I purchased them at 3 inches) and they are still growing, I am not sure if they will reach the same size as the L260. Has anyone seen an adult sized zebra and queen together? Is there a big difference in size? If this is the case, then my zebras have a lot of growing to do! Maybe not in length but in girth size.

My main concern is that I want to know whether the zebras (when they reach their full adult size) will be able to defend their territory from the L260 if I ever decide to take out the divider and let them share the tank.

Thanks Again,
El Loricadio

Yann · Post by **Yann** » 17 Jan 2003, 06:41

Hi!

Well It is really not much, but as long you don't keep them this way for to long and do regular waterchange you could go with that, but again it should only for a short period of time.

About the chance of breeding the two species, I would say it is very unlikely you wil be able to do it, the only one that you might breed will be the dominant species in the tankl which in this case would be L260, but I sincerly doubt you will ever breed Hypancistrus zebra in such setup!

A specific breeding tank is sure a better idea. I don't see anything wrong into keeping them together in a bigger tank, but should keep the other as a breeding one!

Cheers
Yann