Help with sexing L 471 - First spawn

[seb47]

Hello everyone, got bit with the pleco bug after getting a pair of bristle nose in November and was able to get 5 wild caught L 471. The seller said there should be 2 males, 2 females and 1 unsexed and it seems that way to me but just wanted to make sure.

[Acanthicus]

Hi,

agree on all of them: male, male, female, male, female.

Good luck breeding them!

[seb47]

Hi,

agree on all of them: male, male, female, male, female.

Good luck breeding them!

Thanks!

[seb47]

18 months later after the loss of a female, and adding another hopeful female last Christmas I've had my first spawn! 3-4 days ago I decided to cover the tank to give them privacy as they're still very skittish, and last night I removed it just to check-in and a male was trapping the new fish in a plecocaves.com cave I had added recently! Seems like they were just waiting for a bit of peace and quiet. I tried to get a picture of the eggs without disturbing the dad too much and wasn't very successful but they're in the top left corner of the cave.

[bekateen]

Congratulations! Good luck with the eggs and fry!

Cheers, Eric

[seb47]

It was a small spawn and there were some losses but I have 3 healthy 2 week old fry. It's not much but this is the shot I was able to get of 2 of them. I've been feeding repast bottom scratcher and tried feeding green peas today but not sure if they're eating anything other than the leaves for now.

[Joshie]

You lucky guy... cant get them anywhere in the UK. Wish I could keep them

[stuby]

Congratulations on the fry! Some flake foods or meatier type pellet foods should be offered too IMO. I do find Hypancistrus fry like to eat off leaves and wood much more than most adults. The fry will often eat some algae as well.

Take care,
Chuck

[seb47]

You lucky guy... cant get them anywhere in the UK. Wish I could keep them

Thanks! That's a shame they're great little fish hopefully you'll be able to get your hands on some.

[seb47]

Congratulations on the fry! Some flake foods or meatier type pellet foods should be offered too IMO. I do find Hypancistrus fry like to eat off leaves and wood much more than most adults. The fry will often eat some algae as well.

Take care,
Chuck

Thanks Chuck! I've been offering some bug bites and earthworm sticks but tough to know if they get to them since they never leave the leaves while I'm there and there's ramshorn snails in the breeder net. They're growing and don't seem skinny so they seem to be eating enough.

[stuby]

Thanks Chuck! I've been offering some bug bites and earthworm sticks but tough to know if they get to them since they never leave the leaves while I'm there and there's ramshorn snails in the breeder net. They're growing and don't seem skinny so they seem to be eating enough.

I had a bad experience I blame the Bug Bites on so for me I stay away from them. Earthworm sticks are good..... the mix I feed my plecs also has earthworm stick and I never find any leftovers. As long as they are doing good and not skinny, I would keep doing what you are doing! Good luck and keep up the good work.

Take care,
Chuck

[Catfish-ologist]

I just purchased 7 L471 that should be arriving tomorrow. (and a few dozen more Hypans) I can't wait to work with this species, glad to hear more and more people are spawning some of the lesser-known Hypancistrus.

-- Sean

[seb47]

Time for an update they're doing well and looking fat and happy. I think the male's sitting on another spawn as he had a female trapped Saturday and hasn't left his cave since but can't see any eggs. Will try to get better pictures Sunday when I release them with the parents and hopefully have the new spawn take up their place in the breeder net.

[seb47]

Second spawn was a success! Pulled 9 wrigglers today same number as the last spawn had eggs. Put the 3 older fry in the main tank and am hoping they do well.