ratio of sexes l46 breeding tank

[Thomas]

Hi everyone !

This is my first post/question and hope you will leave some comments.
I would like to move some zebs in a new decorated 55 gallon breeding tank.
What is the most likely ratio of sexes to put in ? Fifty-fifty or more males/females ?

Thank you. Thomas

[christian]

hey,

if you get 10xl46, i would get 6 males and 4 females.

[TwoTankAmin]

I would go in the other direction- of 10 total I would want 6 to be female. Bear in mind that males are always easier to find but only a fm can lay eggs.

In my primary breeder tank I have always had more fm than m and, normally, with 13 fish a maximum of two spawns at any time was the best I saw. There was a single exception where I once had 3 spawns simultaneously. But in some 8 or so years of their spawning, this only happened once.

As has been noted, it only takes a pair to spawn. But my preference in my limited experience with spawning plecos has always been to do so in a group setting. However, that is just what it is, my preference, plenty of folks do it differently.

The biggest issue with wanting to target a given sex ratio is finding the sexed females.

[Thomas]

Thanks to both of you !

It's just my intention to put them in a breeding tank because so I hope to enjoy the proces more than now.
My adult fish spawn since several years in a big 300 gallon tank with few other fish. I've a lot of caves in it but for one reason or another they prefer spawing in the back of the tank between big pieces of wood ... The only thing I see from time to time, are baby fish, so one time a year I have to destroy the accomodation to find out what is really going on.

Is it preferable to put (in the breeding tank) only 1 row of caves on the bottem or working with several floors ?

Thanks Thomas

[vanillarum]

I think that depends on space. In a breeding tank where I have only a few males, I would only have caves on the bottom of the tank. More males need more caves, therefore I would add a second layer. Hope this helps. Good luck...

[christian]

hey,

of course it is harder to find females, but females dont prefer males for breeding.
but males do, so its always better to keep more males than females.

[Thomas]

hey,

of course it is harder to find females, but females dont prefer males for breeding.
but males do, so its always better to keep more males than females.

When you put in 1 dominant male, do you think the other males make any difference ?
Imo, when he don't have to compete with other males, he may concentrate on the females.
Or do you think he will loose interest in breeding ?

Thanks Thomas

[christian]

hey,

how do you know which male is a dominant one?
i would get 6m4f if you buy a new group.

[Thomas]

hey,

how do you know which male is a dominant one?
i would get 6m4f if you buy a new group.

Pls read my second post !
I'm not gonna buy fish because I have plenty of adults.
Just wanna put them in a 55 gallon tank to enjoy the spactacle.
The domiant male is easy to to recognize. His behavior is hmm very agressive and the odontodes are much pronounced !

Thomas