Snubnose L046

[CUPfishhead]

I Have a guy in my fish club who has some L046 zebra plecos, some are snubnose and some are standard coming from a few different breeding groups all steming from the first group he has had for approx 10 years.
What causes the snubnose? According to some the snubnose is genetic and others its water quality issues???
If I can get the snubnose for relatively cheap, would it be worth getting some snubnose and would I be able to get standard fry out of snubnose parents?
Should I keep saving and get some standard, or a mixture? Either way what is the best number to have for a good breeding group?

[Barbie]

This is covered in some depth at the subsite http://www.zebrapleco.com , but the general consensus is not that it's necessarily water "quality" as water that's hard and the fry break their little noses getting out of the tougher shells. I had quite a few snub noses from my early batches when my tap water was harder. It is not conclusive proof, and many people are ashamed to admit they have them, like it reflects poorly on their husbandry, but IMO, there are not enough of these fish out there to rule them out as breeders until some link has been made to genetics. My personal group has a very wide open genetic base and I'm quite sure that there isn't any form of inbreeding issue that could amplify the condition. It's hard to say with other groups. I know someone that has bred a female snubnosed 4 times with no resulting snubbed fry, but there's just not enough conclusive evidence yet.

I intended to breed a group of unrelated snubbed female with my old male, but the rotten monster that he is killed all but one in getting them acclimated into the group. I will let you know my results when she gets big enough to do anything ;).

Barbie

[Kenneth Wong]

Hi Barbie,

Interested in some more Snubbies? I have 4 that are now 1.75in.

[Barbie]

Of course . Can I bribe you to hand deliver them with a promise of a nice cool pool and way less than record warm temperatures? With a menu customized to your wishes? ;) Bring the girlfriend and relax!

Barbie