How big should L46 be?

[KrisA]

How big should my L46 be before they are ready to breed?
they are around 6,5-7 cm in total lenght right now, how old are they are that size?.
How do i stimulat rainy season?

[Suckermouth]

Sounds like they're about the right size. They're at least 2-3 years old at this point.

I haven't ever tried to simulate a rainy season, but as far as I know it works somewhat like the following. To simulate a rainy season, do not perform water changes for some time, which will concentrate the dissolved matter in the water over time; this will simulate a dry season. After some weeks of this, you can perform a water change, with water temperature a few degrees below the temperature you keep them at to simulate the rainy season.

I have not found simulating the rainy season to be important with breeding Hypancistrus. With these fish, simply make sure that you feed them well, that they have plenty of hiding spots (preferably with some flow), and to keep the tank relatively quiet and dark without a lot of disturbance. With adult Hypancistrus in condition, it will not be more than a year with this regime that you will get them to spawn. IME, patience has proven to be effective enough to get these fish to breed.

[Barbie]

While most Hypancistrus I keep have spawned whether I did rainy seasons or not, that is not the case with my H. zebra, or L260. Both of these guys seem to really need induced to spawn. I know a couple other breeders that have had the same experience, but I do not know if there are other Hypancistrus that I just don't have yet with the same tendency.

Barbie

[saor alba]

There about the right size , though i had some smaller females breed as far as age goes my breeding stock are all wilds so i couldnt be exact on there age only the time that ive had them.

As in rain/dry seasons go etc ive never went out my way to do them, all ive done is leave them in peace not disturbing them to much, regular 3-4 days in a week water changes between 25-70 percent and feed them well on a sludge type food, they seem to like that way for me and spawn, theres no real dramatic change in water temp either, tanks sits at 29c water change is roundabout 27-29 each time.
So im guessing from what i do its more fresh clean water they like with my way.

[steph en jess]

i know al hypans spwn with 18 months