Breeding Hoplos?

[CatWhat]

I recently obtained a group of ten Hoplosternum littorale; they are eating well on frozen blood worms, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp and sinking pellets.
I was wondering at what size should they be sexually mature?

[bekateen]

Hi CatWhat,

I don't know what size you need, but there are a few posts about breeding them. Have you read these threads?

• getting Hoplosternum to breed
• My Hoplosternum littorale spawned again 27-4-08

Good luck,
Eric

[Bas Pels]

I got 2, in a 4 meter tank. I was a bit disappointedabout them not breeding, but after I put a lot of floating plantmaterial in the tank, the male immediately started building a nest, and not much later I had fry. Which did not eat, but that might be due my mistakes (I put the nest in a newly filled, that is, unripened tank).

I would conclude that they need stuff to build a nest with.

[CatWhat]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll have a look at those threads for sure.
Bas Pels, what size was your breeding pair?

[Bas Pels]

male 18 and female 15 cm I think

[CatWhat]

Ahhh well I most likely have a bit of a wait as mine are only 3". Well in the mean time I'll keep fattening them up and keep them healthy.

[Bas Pels]

So next year you'll be trying to get fry