Breeding large plecos

[Goggy]

Hi guys,
Can someone explain to me the deal with breeding large plecos?

When looking online for information on breeding large plecos I only find data regarding Pseudacanthicus species. I also only see captive bred babies and juveniles of cactus plecos for sale. Why is this?

I ask this because I am thinking of breeding my large plecos and it’s a decision between my adult L025, L027 Xingu platinum and my L095 (breeding tank is 300 gallons).

I realize that with information online, the 25 option seems the most practical for me, but to be honest, I much rather breed the 95 or the 27 as I like these fish more.

Also if possible can someone tell me the most commonly bred large plecos?

Thank you,
Goggy

[Jobro]

Hello,

the reason why there are no reports is that there have been no recorded spawnings on L27 and L95.

Cheers

[Goggy]

The answer was as simple as being impossible to breed in captivity? Is that really it? I was expecting something like inconsistent breeding with the other species. Now I feel stupid

Thanks for the answer
Goggy

[bekateen]

The answer was as simple as being impossible to breed in captivity? Is that really it? I was expecting something like inconsistent breeding with the other species. Now I feel stupid

Not impossible, but rather, hasn't happened yet. Don't feel stupid. Fish are like this.
Cheers, Eric

[stuby]

We, as fish keepers need to give our fish what they want and need to breed...…. we can't read their minds and can only guess at what that is. Some plecs will only breed is a hole in a muddy bank for example. We can't provide that in most aquariums so breeding them isn't going to happen! Now saying for example a royal isn't capable of breeding in the aquarium isn't accurate...… we just need to figure out want they need and that takes time and some luck.

HTH
Chuck

[Chris helland]

Wait you are telling me some pleco only bread in mudholes?

[bekateen]

Wait you are telling me some pleco only bread in mudholes?

In nature yes. The plecos dig burrows into the muddy banks.

[stuby]

Wait you are telling me some pleco only bread in mudholes?

Yes, I believe the L23 is one that does this. It still may be posable to breed them in caves..... and the only way we know for sure is to try! We just need to figure out what they need to breed is the hard part!

[Bas Pels]

Wait you are telling me some pleco only bread in mudholes?

In nature yes. The plecos dig burrows into the muddy banks.

Pterogoblichthys is an example. I've been thinking, what if one would take a large glass bow, fill it with and and attach a pipe on it. Obviously large enough so the male can get through - and the bowl large enough for both.

The male can do his burrowing thing, which he probably needs in order to develop hormones, and perhaps this would suffice

[Jobro]

I would think using nonburned clay/loam/silt would be the best option to provide a digging ground for plecos. Filtration will be another challange, though muddy water might not be a real problem for the fish, right?

[Goggy]

That explains why they were digging holes.
Last year I read that in some rivers in Florida the invasive common plecos are causing a real problem as they were gathering in large numbers digging lots of holes for reproduction which erode at underwater cliffs in some deeper riverbanks causing like an underwater landslide or something?

[ElTofi]

In fact, there is one documented Breeding of Royal Pleco (Panaque armbrusteri "Araguaia"). It's been realized in Asia, by Stephen Huang.

An article was published in AMAZONAS US edition, in Nov/Dec 2013 issue.

And, YES, I'm sooooooo jealous...

It's been a 13 years old challenge for me...

first with LDA 63 (dead at the edge of maturity through a bacterial attack),

then with my Panaque L191 (given away to a public aquarium after 9 years of keeping and 2 years of trying),

and finally, I'm still on it with 10 years old Panaque schaeferi (2 left, after the disaster of March 1st, included a mature male)

[Bas Pels]

I would think using nonburned clay/loam/silt would be the best option to provide a digging ground for plecos. Filtration will be another challange, though muddy water might not be a real problem for the fish, right?

As you pointed out, clay has itys disadvantages. I think for the fishes the material does not matter, but, obviously a sandbank wlle not allow any digging. Thus they only dig in clay.


But in case the hole is prepepared, sand would suffice. I think