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Picked up a group of young ancistrus claro in the spring of this year. I distributed them throughout my group of tanks for algae control (excellent at that !). I did however keep 3 together to see if i could get a pair. As luck would have it, the group of 3 turned out to be 2 females and a male. They have grown to just over 2 inches and the male seems to be fully whiskered. Several weeks a go the male began to not show up for regular feedings and then he disappeared altogether. I also noticed one of the females was getting really fat (and i would say she seemed to double in size - a bit alarming actually !). I suspected she was heavy with eggs. However as i have only bred cory cats i had no preparations in the tank for the pair (e.g., good cave)- so they must have just made a home in the wood somewhere.

Well, about 10 days ago, the female reappeared (skinny as a rail) and a couple of days later the male began showing himself again. Two days after the male came out from hiding I saw 3 little LDAO8 clinging to the back glass. I grabbed the turkey baster to try to grab them but they darted into the plants. I have only seen one youngster since the first sighting. Just a few days ago i did manage to grab the lone survivor with the turkey baster and get it in a breeder box. It is eating fine and is growing really fast. I will be able to release it real soon back to the tank without fear of predation. Having never raised this type of fish before, I am shocked at how fast it is growing.

I am now fattening up the females again in hopes of another spawn - I will be putting a nice cave in the tank real soon in support of their activities. They are in a tank with some very actively breeding cory cats. I wonder if this could help trigger a spawn in the claro's ?

Just thought I would share

Regards
FFG

Cool! Put me on the list!

Just a FYI update on the LDA08

they spawned in late 2005. However I have just found 5 juveniles sticking to the glass yesterday. They are much smaller than the lone survivor of Spawn no. 1. I put in a few clay pots after Spawn no.1 so maybe they liked the new hidey places - the new juveniles are already 1/2 inch in length - they have been hiding really well - but it was funny that they all decided to make their debut on the same day.

I suspect that there may be a few more little ones amongst the wood.

also - the breeding pair were really rasslin' around yesterday - I suspect they are preparing for another event -hope so.

Tank params are as follows:
- 20 gallon high with lots of real plants and wood
- tankmates are Panda corys, tetras, rasboras
- Temp 76
- pH 7.5
- Moderate hardness
- 50% to 60% weekly water changes with temp drop of 8 degrees (this keeps the Pandas going)

They really keep the glass free of algae but they eagerly eat shrimp pellets, earthworm pellets, spirulina wafers, and flakes.

Regards
FFG

I got the Claros because they are small and they eat algae well- that they do!!. The males get a nice set of tentacles as well - and mine do turn kind of gold at times. It is perfect to keep a couple in a 20 gallon !!

they are my only L-fish --- i am saddled with an abundance of Corys !!

I may have to procure more of those L's !!

Regards
FFG