Bn Plecs Breeding, Now What?

[BIG BAD BARRY]

I have had a couple of unexplained fish deaths recently. My suspicions were focused on a red wag tail platy which I recently moved into the tank. He has always been a bit of a bully boy! The water parameters have been fine and the tank is established.
For a couple of days I have not seen my male BN plec so I assumed the worst.
Whilst doing a routine water change earlier today, I could see his tail under some bog wood but he never moved as I got the gravel vac near him and assumed he was dead as he normally is off like a missile!
As I lifted the wood, he was attached to it and alive! Yeah !!!
I got him off the wood so I didn't squish him but went back under it and when I looked underneath it there was a load of baby BN plecs attached to it as well!!!!
Clearly, he has been protecting them.

I carefully finished the water change.
Shall I leave the babies where they are or should I move them into a breeding box?

 

[hensonc4098]

I would leave the babies where they are for now and see how the parents get on looking after them. Since you have a pair, they will most likely breed again, so don't worry if this spawn doesn't work out. Let nature run its course this time and then consider moving them next time if none survive.

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

Leave them because the BN pleco naturally stays with his fry until they are old enough to go on their own.

 

[Baccus]

Even when my BN fry are old enough to be out and about foraging for themselves they still often camp with dad in his breeding rock. BN's (well mine) have always proved to be fantastic parents with regular batches of 200+ fry hatching and maturing till getting 3cm + and sellable size. If anything for the fry I would increase thier food (add protien foods too not just veg) and increase your water maintenance.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Thanks for the advice folks.
I will have to hold off getting replacement fish for the deaths due to the increased load from the babies as they hopefully grow.

For future consideration, what is the best type of cave/shelter for the male to use?
There was a decent sized coconut cave but he preferred to hide under the bogwood.

 

[cambojnr]

Thanks for the advice folks.
I will have to hold off getting replacement fish for the deaths due to the increased load from the babies as they hopefully grow.

For future consideration, what is the best type of cave/shelter for the male to use?
There was a decent sized coconut cave but he preferred to hide under the bogwood.

how many babys? as 1 BN's poo was to much for my tank so having 100 of the little buggers pooping everywhere would be horrible.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Tell me about it!
I saw at least 10 of them about 8-10mm in length. I put the wood back quick so not to stress them. The only thing is that I didn't want to squish them so there is more of a gap but this will make it easier for the rest of the fish to get to them.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Looks like the male is venturing away from them as he has been swimming and feeding elsewhere.
No sign of the babies yet though!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Pleco dads tend fry until they are free swimming. When the tank environment is a threat to their health, he may try to keep them safe for longer than normal. Fish pretty much see fry as just another meal. If you wish to insure the survival of fry in a community tank you need to pull them to a growout tank before they they are pushed out of the cave by the dad.

Plecos also like tight space for spawning.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Thanks for the advice TTA.
Still no sign of them. The dad is still hanging around the bogwood but is mainly back to his normal routine. Might take a peek later.
Dont have a grow out tank but have a 50L tetra tank with which i could do a bit of swapping around.
In relation to the spawning space, they are are generally shown as tubes. Does this have to be open at both ends or just the one?

I have some odd bits of bogwood i could try and drill out.
Who did i borrow my drill to..........................................?