L46 Colonies

[CUPfishhead]

My friend and I are obtaining 2 breeding colony of L46. One tank has 7 and one tank has 4. They are wild caught and approx 8years old. They have bred in standard tap water here in NW PA which has been aged a few days. He doesnt really mess with pH but is usually around 7.0-7.2. Both colonies have bred before, the group of 4 being the last one last year. Should we keep the groups together,combine them, or split them apart? Just wanted some more info. Got a few ideas on setups from looking at everyones on here, but not sure what size tank, Was thinking either a 20L or 30L or do I go larger. Thanks!!!!

[MatsP]

I'm not sure I can help much, but for those who are not familiar with US tank sizes: 20L is not 20 liter, but a tank that is 20 gallon "Long", it should be 30" x 13" x 13" (76 x 33 x 33cm). I'm not sure what the exact measures of a 30L (30 gallon Long) are...

Edit: 30L may be 36" x 12" x 17".

--
Mats

[CUPfishhead]

Yes thats correct on the measurments. Sorry for the confusion on the capital L for litre. They are 20gal long and 30gallong longs tanks. Thanks again for any help

[TwoTankAmin]

You can combine them or keep them separate as long as you understand that each way will have different results. Groups always develop a pecking order. It can take many months to get this done. If you add a new fish or fishes to and established group you break the pecking order. So it must be worked out all over again. Of course this can take some time.

The end result is one unified colony in a single tank, but the downside is spawning wont likely happen until the pecking order is again in place. And even then there is no guarantee how long it will take before they resume.

On the other hand, there is no guarantee that because they have spawned in the past they will do so soon or easily for you. It can go either way. However, the odds that they might spawn are higher if you have not done anything to disrupt the group dynamic by changing the membership.

Life is never simple. I suggest you maintain the groups as is if you can. It would also mean a whole tank disaster can never wipe them all out.

Good luck with them.

[CUPfishhead]

Thanks for the input, planning on keeping them together then. Is 8 years old too old to have good breeding results? Everything I read says 10-15 years lifespan. Has anyone else got zebras to spawn when they were this age? Thanks again.

[Barbie]

There are reports of zebras spawning that were at least 15 years old. I know that my current male is at least 12 years old, as I've owned him that long and he produced a viable spawn last year. Don't worry, if they are healthy, they can still make fry ;).

As to combining them, that's a lot of fish in a 30 gallon tank, if you combine the groups. I tend to understock my zebra tanks, just in case of a power outage or other snafu that you can't foresee. That way, if you lose a tank, you only lose half of the fish, but that's just me ;).

Barbie

[TwoTankAmin]

Barb- a gent we know in MI got a spawn from his 19 year old male least year.

I have a feeling the little male guys will spawn as long as they live? I am not sure that females will continue to produce eggs for that long, however.

[CUPfishhead]

Here's my newly setup tank just awaiting the arrival of the zebras later this week. Let me know if theres anything else I should change. Have 6 caves total, 3 rounds caves from 1 inch to 2 inches. 3 square caves, 1 inch 2 inches and once that is 2.5 inches, all from plecocaves.com Have a koralia 1 powerhead in right cave. Should I have the current flowing across the rocks near the bottom or have it blowing above the rocks? Thanks in advace for the help!!!

[Zeno]

To me, the flow direction had never an effect on breeding results as far it blows not into the caves. You can try all other possibilities. If you are feeding the fish you have to see the flow is not to powerfull. Otherwise your food will go around the tank and mess up your water.

Btw: nice tank !

Greetz, Zeno

[lukan]

I like how the caves are facing in different directions. The Alpha Male can always pick the cave that he wants....Great Set up.

[CUPfishhead]

Obtained the 7 zebras last night. They are settling in nicely. Now lots of patience and luck. lol

[Linus_Cello]

Good luck with breeding these guys. Hope to see fry from them at the Catfish Convention in VA(/DC): www.catfishcon.com

[CUPfishhead]

I will definetly be attending if I can get these guys breeding. Our friend we purchased them from is planning on attending this year and he will have some of the fry from the 2 groups that we purchased. Right now I am in the process of warming them up the next few weeks and getting them in breeding condition, and hope theres some action in my tank. Any other insight would be awsome. Thanks for everyones help!!!

[plecoboy]

Looks nice, but are those rocks safe? Did you do a vinegar test on them?

[CUPfishhead]

Yes they are safe. They are slate style Pennsylvania blue stone broken apart from one large piece. They have settled in and 2 of them have taken residence up in their caves, now just trying to get them conditioned and ready to breed.

[ilikeendlers]

Wow beautiful fishes.

I too have been looking around for some Zebras Plecos to breed.
After the news about the dam being built on the Xingu River, I want to join the fight to preserve these beautiful babies.

Would you all keep me in mind if you have and F1 or F2 for sale or know of anyone selling a group that won't break the bank? I've seen that sell each for $100 which is a steal but $200+ is sort of out of my price range

I'm in the works of getting some Rio Lower Xingu Plecos.
So hopefully I can get those up.
Then add some Zebras in with them.

Anyways, wonderful job on the tank.
I will try something similar to that with many caves and hideouts.
Thanks for sharing