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Can I get Farlowella vittata and Panaque maccus to coexist peacufully and possible breed in a 40G long? I would like to go 3 of each or more to get pairs. The tank is a sand base with slate pvc and bogwood hiding spots. Planting will be done soon.

Hello,

The mix should work fine since P. maccus usually prefers to make good use of the caves. Farlowella will prefer to stay more out in the "open" areas of the tank. Their water requirements are also fairly similar, so it sounds like a good mix to me. The only problem will be the maccus trying to raid the spawning sites of the Farlowella.

Larry Vires

Thank you, coming from you that carries some weight.
My focus is on the P. maccus. Should I go for 3 or 4 of each to get male and female?
I like the twigs and will continue to reserach them since they are ok w/ the clowns.

This two spp. are naturally found together in the llanos so it is no problem to mix them. As Larry pointed out, they compete for different habitats as well as different foods. P. maccus will be happy eating wood while F. vittata prefers algae and greens (like cucumber).
-Shane

Hello,

If the goal is to spawn the fish, I would go with several P. maccus and try to focus on just a pair of the Farlowella to start. I say this because most of the Farlowella that I see locally are already mature and easily sexed. P. maccus on the other hand has a tendency to have way too many females and very few males. I was speaking with Yann about this earlier today, and we both were under the idea that there may be some pH control of the sexes of these fish. I have had colonies of 12 grow out fish to be all female. Only when young fish were raised in a pH of 6.0 have I been successful with getting males in grow out. It is important to note that this has not been heavily tested, but my journals would indicate that it is a strong possibillity.

Larry Vires

Larry (and others),
I can not speak to pH affecting the sex of captive bred loricariids, but there is a very good reason why the sex ratio is skewed in wild shipments. At any given time, a good portion of the males of most Ancistrinae and Hypostominae are tucked away deep in a hollow log or hole in the riverbank fanning away at eggs. Since most collection takes place with cast nets and seine nets, we are only catching fishes in the open (i.e. females and young).
-Shane

Larry and Shane,
Thank you both for your input, it has made a world of difference.
My main goal is the successful mating of the P. maccus. To be able for the Farlowella to breed as well would be awesome. So 4 P. maccus would make the starts of a good breeding colony.

Now being able to sex the Farlowella's, are one male and one female bound to mate?

I'll get back to you on the Ph. Let there first be success before we get to deep....lol.

Hello,

Farlowella are one of those that I refer to as insta-fish. Just add water. It's actually a little more difficult than that, but not by much. I've not ran into a species, when I was able to give the proper care, which would not eventually spawn within the colony. The real trick is being able to wait until they are mature. However, a male Farlowella with bristles is no more than a couple months from being mature. A similarly sized female should complete the pair.

Larry Vires