New L-number Pseudacanthicus spawn at only 5"

[PseudaSmart]

This one qualifies for my first true surprise spawn and for two reasons no less! I was not working with this group of LDA07s and they spawned at only 5”. I have been working with larger L114s, L273s, and Lda07s the past few months. I also had 4 smaller ones in a large grow out tank with 1-2’ L160s. While moving driftwood in this tank to check on the 160’s I found a small cluster on newly hatched fry. Kind of easy to figure out whom the parents were. With a large storm system moving through our area they are already looking to spawn for a second time. There is a lot to be said about automatic water change systems.

Spawns to date: LDA07, L25, L97, L160, L185, and Pseudacanthicus leopardus(L600).

It has taken many years but my DNA testing has been completed for most of the genus Pseudacanthicus. The results of this testing validates many of the differences and similarities I have observed with the different species. Each species requires unique conditions to spawn, grow without deformity, or large die off. Inquiries to the research community to share this information so far have been unsuccessful. As an alternative Jools has graciously offered Planet Catfish as a forum.

LDA07 Female trying to lure male

LDA07 fry pic1

LDA07 fry pic2

Hopefully more to follow,
Jim

[rob rensen]

Nice job...well done

[rob rensen]

Maybe you could tell us more about the conditions ? Temp, Ph etc.

How is the fry doing now and what you are feeding them ??

[Chouin]

Congrats Jim !

[flatfish]

Nice work Jim. Congratulations

[PseudaSmart]

Thanks for the kind words. First and second spawns are still very difficult.

The remaining fry are growing quickly. Since I was late in discovering them most were starving and did not recover. There are about 10 left. I feed them Thera A from the start. It needs to be ground smaller for the first few days until their teeth harden.

Even with the success of the last few years spawns are not a sure thing. Over the past week our area had great weather patterns. There were 5 tanks with pairs on the verge of spawning- nothing happened!

Jim