Gecko's redecorated L46 Zebra Pleco tank

[Gecko]

Did this to the new breeding group of 3 males and 2 females...action not started yet so quite ok to move new furniture in...

[celticfish]

gecko,
Sweet!
Maybe you can consider placing some DW over the caves so a potential female can check out the male?
You don't have to cover the entrance too.

[valice]

Nice...
The bottom substrate is lapis sand?

[Aquaculture]

I've read somewhere that they like some shelter above the caves...

[wasabi8888]

hi do your tetras snatch food from the shy zebras?

[celticfish]

wasabi8888,

Definitely snatch!
Either you over feed the fishes so that enough will "pass" them or feed after "lights out".
I had the same issues with rummies and they even go after the food that gets to the gravel.
So the feeding for the zebras go in after lights out now.

[Gecko]

Yes lapis sand. Also the black neons shoaling is a nice sight, but added bioload....

The more pictures of xingu biotope I see, the urge to redo got stronger....

All 3 males have caved up and one female is already hanging outside

One male of far right territory:


Young female (2.5" TL) hanging on side of big Alpha male (center right territory). They were already pairing up in the last DW setup.


Original breeding group untouched in left tank, new setup on right.


Lets see if there'll be any difference in spawning and behavior.

[wasabi8888]

Irwin, so at night, the tetras will sleep and not bother the food? that's interesting. I always thought they will still snatch anytime you throw food in

[celticfish]

If its right after lights out and there is ambient light - they will.
There needs to be some time, better if its dark too, for the tetras to go into "sleep mode".

[iwishweallcouldwin]

my rummynoses always switch to 'sleep mode' when they're in complete darkness - ideal time for my plecos to feed. but sometimes my plecos would just barge out in broad daylight to grab a piece of the pie as well, which will be quite a sight as they would be busy chasing the rummynoses away

[akoh]

Bro ! more like army barrack leh ! fall in !