|
|
Post by bnoel210 on Mar 21, 2012 20:56:44 GMT -6
Was wondering if anyone could give me tips on how to breed BN? I know mine arent big enough, but I have 7 at around 2.25-3". I have a mixture of albino and green and some short fin and long fin. I know these are usually a must have in the hobby and always see people looking for some. So I think I would like to help some people out and breed these great plecos, but here are my questions.
What size tank (minimum)
What decor (i know they like tubes to would pvc work?)
What water parameters would be ideal
What food entice spawning
How many should I put in a tank together (can I just put all 7 in a tank or should I put 1m and a few females? I have no clue)
Any ifo would be greatly appreciated.
|
|
|
|
Post by plecoman on Mar 21, 2012 21:29:39 GMT -6
Most of my BN's breed in one of my 46 gallon bow front tanks or my 100 gal tank, but they will breed in a 10 if you have a pair in there. Once mine breed, I take the tube, with the male and eggs, and put it in a 10 gal tank. Once they have hatched and come out of the tube, I remove the male back to his larger tank. As the fry grow I'll put move them to a 20 gal tank and then to one of the larger tanks.
All you need for them to breed is some sort of tube. Anything will work for the BN's. I use gravel substrate, driftwood, some plants, and a breeding tube.
Mine seem to breed no matter what I do. I've even had young females that are only 2" long breed. I do 50% water changes per week and all I have is hard Columbia water, nothing else. One of the main pointers I will give you is keep the tank clean. Each week, when I do the water change, I thoroughly vacuum the gravel.
They will eat any food, but a lot of shrimp flake (protein) seems to get the females going. I do rotate their food though. If I give them shrimp in the morning, I'll feed them spirulina in the evening. Anything seems to work though. I have many different types of food that I feed them.
I only keep one pair per tank. More females are ok, but only one male. They will fight over the female and destroy the eggs with both trying to take over the tube. I've even had one female lay eggs and then another one go in the tube and try to lay. The eggs of the first female got kicked out in the fight between her and the male. So one pair is better. I do have younger fish growing out in the tanks with the pairs though.
BN's are really easy, however, I do know some people that don't seem to have any luck getting theirs to breed.
I would think that your BN's are big enough to breed. I have had several to breed at that size. I hope this helps you out.
|
|
|
|
Post by kyangelsncorys on Mar 21, 2012 22:55:27 GMT -6
i agree with what he said to most part, i have 9 tanks set up with breeding groups or prs of bn. they are very easy to breed if you give them clean water and plenty of green vegs to eat and a place to lay their eggs. i use pvc pipe for mine to spawn in but you can buy the clay caves or tubes.im growing out about 50 to spawning size and will have prs to sell by mid summer im hoping
|
|
|
|
Post by bnoel210 on Mar 21, 2012 23:23:39 GMT -6
Some of the bigger 3" BN are starting to get bristles. Can I assume those to be males and my smaller ones females?
|
|
|
|
Post by kyangelsncorys on Mar 21, 2012 23:30:35 GMT -6
more then likely yes, but some times you have a male that is a late bloomer and he won`t develop bristles untill later in life, your females will start getting fatter then the males as they mature
|
|
