H. psittacus Growout / Pairing

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T

tanglovers

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Dec 28, 2007
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Michigan
Hi All,

I just picked up 4 Hoplarchus psittacus from one of my local shops (only 4 they had). I am hoping to grow them out and get a pair for my new large tank build.

They are currently 3.5-4" in length. Anyone how any experience when they will start either showing some sexual dimorphism or pair off and be aggressive towards the other two?

I have heard they grow quick as well. Any experience with this?

Thanks!
 
I aquired a rather large group of psittacus around late Spring 2010 but they were already around of 5-6" on average. A pair formed during the Fall and began breeding this Spring once I gave them their own tank space. So I can't give you much insight or experience as to how a group of 4 would interact but my gut tells me that my pair may not have happended without having such a large group to work with - I started with 12, added 4 more from a firend for a month or two, and then slowly started breaking the group down in numbers as the pair started bonding.

As far as growth, again, I did not start with fish as small as yours so I'm not much help. In my research, I understand that growth is relatively modest in rate and any breeding is typically occuring after a period of 3 years, plus. Mine are wild so I have no idea of their age. Mine have only put on 2-3 inches in the roughly 12 months that I've had them. I'm afraid I'm not much help with your questions - good luck with your group.
 
My psittacus made it from under 1" to 5" in a few months. The big one I kept is about 12 - 13" now and he just turned a year old last month. If your tank is big enough and you're feeding them well, they grow very fast. You'll need a huge tank to house a group.

From what I can see there is no real sexual dimorphism. You'll just have to wait until they spawn. Mine didn't make it that far because they got extremely aggressive and I had to separate them before they killed each other. :(
 
I think your tank is big enough that there's a good chance a pair would form without the other two getting killed. Shouldn't take more than a few month before they get to around a foot.
 
GT3000;5150713; said:
Thank you, Very nice pics.
Are you sure that they are only 3.5-4" in length? They look bigger.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I am positive they are NOT. OP's fish came to him at that size. You're right - mine are about 8-9".
 
Thanks for all the info. I am only looking to keep a pair of these long term, if I could have found a pair I would have gone that route but could only find juveniles.

They are in a 180 gallon tank now and either all 4 or a pair (depending on when they pair off) will be going in the new 520 gallon tank that should be wet within a month.
 
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