L134 Breeding set up Q's, high temp Q's

[NChops134]

Hello all, first time post on here. I have been keeping tropical fish for a while and have raised several species of pleco, but now I'm ready to put my dream tank together. I am setting up a breeding tank for L134 peckoltia compta, leopard frog plecos. Here are the specs on the tank before I begin asking for advice.


48" x 18" x 12"
100% quartz silica sand substrate
Planter sections filled with eco-complete and root feet tabs
Tons of Malaysian and Manzanita driftwood
Several pleco caves, one for each male, perhaps one for every fish
Fluval 406 canister filter
Jebo internal spong filter/Powerhead
2 - 200 watt heaters


I am currently in the process of cycling the tank, so I'm trying to plan a bit long term when I can get these amazing fish in. I do not have water parameters yet because the cycle is still in flux. First question I have is on tank mates. I want a few active fish in the tank that can handle the 82-84* that the L134 need. However, i dont want to put the L134 fry in danger when they start breeding. I am going to keep a school of rummy nose tetras because I know they like higher temps. I was also thinking of a few apistogramma are these safe for the fry? I was thinking about a school of dwarf corydoras, because I've read that they make the plecos more brave in coming out of hiding. However, I have heard that the high temp is not good for any of the three dwarf species. I know that sterbai corys do well in higher temps, but will these larger Cory's eat my fry? What about a few bristle nose plecs? I'd like to keep these instead of Otocinclus, but again don't want to endanger the L134 fry. Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.


Secondly, this is going to be a planted tank. I am of course putting in some amazon swords and Anubias, however I am looking for a couple other options and definitely want some moss to dress up a couple driftwood pieces. My question is what plants and moss will tolerate that high of a temperature (82-84*) ?? I was also thinking about "frogbit" as a floating plant? Any advice here would be greatly appreciated.


Lastly, I have heard a few different opinions on current for L134. Some say put the current low in the tank and right across the mouths of the caves. However, I have also heard that the current should be higher up in the tank so that the floor is a more gentle current for them to forage and rest in. So where should my power head be? Up on the top water or down on the sandy bottom?


Thank you all in advance for your help, I love these fish and want to make sure I set up the perfect environment for them before I get them. Once I finalize these decisions and give my beneficial bacteria some time to mature, I will be looking for the L134s on this forum because I'm sure that they are taken care of. Is anyone still breeding these fish? Apistomaster or plecoboy? Anyone new looking to sell a small colony? Well I have rambled Long enough, thanks for your help!

 

[msjinkzd]

Hello all, first time post on here. I have been keeping tropical fish for a while and have raised several species of pleco, but now I'm ready to put my dream tank together. I am setting up a breeding tank for L134 peckoltia compta, leopard frog plecos. Here are the specs on the tank before I begin asking for advice.

These are fantastic fish! One of my favorites

48" x 18" x 12"
100% quartz silica sand substrate
Planter sections filled with eco-complete and root feet tabs
Tons of Malaysian and Manzanita driftwood
Several pleco caves, one for each male, perhaps one for every fish
Fluval 406 canister filter
Jebo internal spong filter/Powerhead
2 - 200 watt heaters


I am currently in the process of cycling the tank, so I'm trying to plan a bit long term when I can get these amazing fish in. I do not have water parameters yet because the cycle is still in flux. First question I have is on tank mates. I want a few active fish in the tank that can handle the 82-84* that the L134 need. However, i dont want to put the L134 fry in danger when they start breeding. I am going to keep a school of rummy nose tetras because I know they like higher temps. I was also thinking of a few apistogramma are these safe for the fry? I was thinking about a school of dwarf corydoras, because I've read that they make the plecos more brave in coming out of hiding. However, I have heard that the high temp is not good for any of the three dwarf species. I know that sterbai corys do well in higher temps, but will these larger Cory's eat my fry? What about a few bristle nose plecs? I'd like to keep these instead of Otocinclus, but again don't want to endanger the L134 fry. Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.

In all honesty, if you want this to be a breeding tank, definitely do not put in corys or apistogramma. You may have some luck with some tetras. I wouldn't put in ancistrus either, because despite their reputation, I find them to be largely omnivorous. I always foudn that if really focused on breeding a fish, especially once that can be a bit challenging like the L134, it is best to set up a species tank and cater to their whims.


Secondly, this is going to be a planted tank. I am of course putting in some amazon swords and Anubias, however I am looking for a couple other options and definitely want some moss to dress up a couple driftwood pieces. My question is what plants and moss will tolerate that high of a temperature (82-84*) ?? I was also thinking about "frogbit" as a floating plant? Any advice here would be greatly appreciated.

Again, you may want to focus on what is more natural for the fish, rather than what is most appealing to you. Floating plants are a good idea, maybe even brazilian pennywort. Anubias should be fine, but I would not focus too much on species of plants that will have very big nutritional requirements within a breeding tank. Also, these fish are not fans of a lot of light, which would be a limiting factor for many plants.


Lastly, I have heard a few different opinions on current for L134. Some say put the current low in the tank and right across the mouths of the caves. However, I have also heard that the current should be higher up in the tank so that the floor is a more gentle current for them to forage and rest in. So where should my power head be? Up on the top water or down on the sandy bottom?


Thank you all in advance for your help, I love these fish and want to make sure I set up the perfect environment for them before I get them. Once I finalize these decisions and give my beneficial bacteria some time to mature, I will be looking for the L134s on this forum because I'm sure that they are taken care of. Is anyone still breeding these fish? Apistomaster or plecoboy? Anyone new looking to sell a small colony? Well I have rambled Long enough, thanks for your help!

I made a few comments above. There are also a few hyphessobrycon species you coudl look for that would be a good match, as they are endemic to the area, but difficult to find.

 

[NChops134]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Thank you very much for your reply and input! I get what you're saying in regards to plants. I am not trying to stuff it full of plants or have any that need a ton of light or Co2. I was just thinking of putting a few in to provide cover/security for the fish and eventual fry. I have found that all of my other pleco species really seem to enjoy hiding in the shade of the plants or in the moss on the driftwood. I was just thinking about a couple swords, a little anubias/java moss on the wood and some floaters.
I am trying to recreate a little bit of a shallow river side tapajos biotope. I have manzanita coming down from the top to recreate descending tree roots, and other wood to provide cover over the caves. With floaters to protect the plecs from direct light.

Always the L134's needs will be first and foremost in the tank. All of the water parameters and environment will be designed around them. However, I would like to try to get a little bit of natural activity in the tank. Perhaps I'm dreaming and trying to get the best of both worlds unrealistically? But I'm trying to find tank mates that would be safe for the L134 and their fry, yet compatible with L134's specific water needs. [/FONT]

 

[msjinkzd]

Anubias, floaters, mosses are all great for that. They also foster the production of infusoria, which is a great first fry food. I am a fan of plants in tanks, but, at least for me, they are largely secondary to the fish. They are there simply to provide comfort and support to the fish. In a breeding tank, this is especially important. I find that most swords have too high of light needs and nutrient needs to really do well ina breeding tank- you could pot and root tab feed them, but the light can still be the limiting factor. I generally add moss, anubias, ferns or floaters like pennywort, as the pennywort especially helps with nutrient export as a column feeder..

I am certainly not saying you cannot keep other fish in the tank, I just would make your choices carefully- pick fish that are top dwellers, small mouthed, and not particularly prey driven in order to preserve your fry.

 

[NChops134]

I completely agree! Everything in the tank is secondary to the needs of the L134's. This is going to be a L134 tank with plants, not a planted tank with L134s in it, if that makes sense. I did not know about the production of infusoria that helps a lot! You prefer penny wort over other floaters such as hornwort or frogbit?

Do you keep L134s? If so what types of moss or ferns can thrive in low light at 82*?

Im trying to make very careful choices with the tank mates that I choose. Does anyone have examples of Small mouthed and not prey driven fish that can thrive at 82*? You are against having any type of bottom dweller in with them? Whether they be ancistrus or Cory's? Thanks again for the advice!

Anyone have other thoughts?

 

[msjinkzd]

I prefer pennywort just becasue it is not as messy- most of the little floaters just get everywhere, and with directional flow power heads, can be a real mess. The pennywort can be grown anchored or as a floater, so for me, it is better. I don't have L134 right now, but have Hypan contradens and L140 in breeding tanks, and used to have L046. I generally use just regular old java moss (it can take some time to acclimate, flame has an easier time), narrow leaf fern, anubias barteri or nana, etc. I use those plants in my discus tank as well, without issue. Sagittaria subulata does ok as well.

 

[NChops134]

Awesome thanks for the suggestions! That definitely helps on my plant decisions!

Anyone know where I can get some flame moss, besides aquabid?
Anymore advice on safe tank mates? Thanks!

 

[NChops134]

Does anyone have thoughts on keeping Ancistrus or apistos with L134 and their possible fry? I would have to have some BN in the tank, but I am concerned about them being territorial. Any advice on this or other tankmates that can handle the high temp and be safe for the L134? Thanks!