Which plec would make a good breeding project?
I’d like to have a go at breeding some plecos and I wondered if you could give me some pointers at all, in terms of a decent starter species. Any advice would be very welcome. CHRIS LILLEY
BOB REPLIES: The obvious choice would be bristlenose catfish, Ancistrus sp., which are the easiest Loricariid catfish to breed. The ‘common’ bristlenoses seen in most shops tend to be of uncertain heritage, so may well be hybrids, although these are readily available, cheap, easy to sex, and it’s also relatively easy to move on the resulting fry. If you prefer a bit more of a challenge, there are some less common Ancistrus species, such as the Starlight pleco, A. dolichopterus, or the Medusa pleco, A. ranunculus.
If you don’t fancy bristlenoses, then Peckoltia can make a nice project. One of the most attractive species is the Leopard frog pleco, P. compta. However, while not quite as eye-wateringly expensive as the Zebra plec, Hypancistrus zebra, they are still far from cheap. The upside of this, of course, is that if you do breed them the resulting fry will be worth considerably more.
Another interesting choice would be one of the
Sturisoma, or giant whiptail catfish. These are wonderful, graceful fish and not at all aggressive. Many of these fish will also be able to breed successfully in a peaceful community tank, as the males are superb parents and will guard the eggs and fry, but you’ll stand a greater chance of success with a dedicated breeding tank.