Interested in breeding Plecos

**BurningAmberBettas** · 05-31-2009, 04:52 PM

I just placed a bid on 6 gorgeous unsexed Juvi red marble long fin bristle nose plecos. I need to know what size tank ill need for them. I have 2 20gal longs, will that be ok? I know I need lots of caves and driftwood and such. But any advice would be great.!

Here are the parents :D

**toddnbecka** · 05-31-2009, 05:08 PM

A 20 long is fine for a pair or trio (1m/2f). However, you'll need much more tankspace for fry once they start breeding. I have a trio in a 30 long. I recently moved 116 fry into a 75 for growout, there are still more than that remaining in the 30, and there's a new spawn in the cave that will be out in another week or so. My breeders are still young, so they aren't producing 100 eggs each spawn. Both females are spawning regularly though, and once they start they'll keep going for months before taking a break.
Not all of the fry are likely to be longfins. The percentage will depend on the parent's genes, but they will produce some standard fin fry as well.

**BurningAmberBettas** · 05-31-2009, 07:35 PM

ok so a trio per 20gal should be ok? And would a 55gal be ok for growing out? Or should I dig my 125gal outta the basement?

**toddnbecka** · 05-31-2009, 08:17 PM

I'd set up the 125 if you want to raise large numbers of fry to a decent size (1-1.5".) However, finding new homes for hundreds of any fish isn't likely, and the number of calico fry available by the time yours are breeding will be even greater. It will likely take at least 6 months for them to reach spawning size if you receive them at 1-1.5", and a bit longer for their fry to grow out to that size. In he meantime, they'll keep producing more fry...