Hello

Evan · Post by **Evan** » 14 Sep 2003, 06:47

Hey my name is Evan. I'm oringinally from South Carolina(sorry about spelling) but have moved to Vancouver,B.C. I have several catfish and have had several before. Right now I have 2 plecos(unknown as of now),1 S. euruptes(spelling again), 2 corys, a weather loach, I think thats it. My main goal right know is breeding the plecos. I've raised baby swordtails and crayfish. How do u sex a pleco and does anyone have any breeding tips? Thanks Evan.

P.S. It said that they're "florida" plecos in the store and I'm 14.

Sid Guppy · Post by **Sid Guppy** » 14 Sep 2003, 08:49

Hi Evan
welcome to the weird world of catfishes....

If you want to breed Pleco's, I suggest you start with the Common Bristlenose (Ancistrus cf temmincki).
These stay small, are easy to keep, and they spawn often. Raising the fry isn't really difficult either.

Common Pleco's (Liposarcus pardalis); the brown thingies sold everywhere; grow to over half a meter (almost two feet) and need a pond to spawn. Very difficult to do in a tank, even for very experienced fishkeepers. In ponds however, it's done in a lot of places, including Florida.

Taratron · Post by **Taratron** » 14 Sep 2003, 08:53

Just a small note....in almost every pet store, you'll see common plecos. They're not rare, so not really worth much in a business sense.

Bristlenose, on the other hand.......they are.

Evan · Post by **Evan** » 14 Sep 2003, 21:39

My neighbor has a koi pond maybe he would like some plecos......

Post by **Silurus** » 14 Sep 2003, 21:44

Well, the plecos are probably not going to last the winter in the pond (the koi can, because they can withstand low temperatures better).