Hypancistrus zebra L46 breeding behavior

[Savant]

I didn't expect the zebras in my tank to start breeding activities so soon but I have recently spotted pairs (or two zebras) hanging out together in the caves...

On monday and tuesday, there was another L46 deep inside alpha (male?) L46's cave. Last night they both left the cave and this morning, only one zebra was left inside (no eggs )

I noticed that there are now 2 zebras in next cave...

Now, previously none of the zebras have shared caves, in fact, if another zebra was to try, it would be chased away?

Anyone who managed to watch their zebras breed (or have similar cave sharing/hopping experiences) care to share their experience?

(btw, those who occupy the caves or hang out near them are now 5-6 cm including tail)

[eeeeemo]

it is sad for me cause my zebras only carry out such activities as night.. i have never got to see them have such spawning activities. i only wake up to scars on the females' sides.. probably got them from trying to squeeze into the males' caves.

the only time that i had a spawn. it was similar.. i noticed the female become really skinny overnight with scars on her sides. the next thing i know when doing a weekly water change, i found eggs in the cave.

i feel that we should take the "3yrs to mature" statement lightly. many plecos spawn as long as they have been provided with very good conditions. i have read one thread at plecofanatics.com about one person's L066 spawning even though everyone advised that they were way too small to be of sexual maturity. at the time of spawn, the females do not even look gravid.

[Savant]

Some updates...

I had the opportunity to observe them more today...

It seems that 4 of my zebras are playing "musical caves"...

I still can't ID them individually as they do not stay in the open long enough for me to capture their distinguishing features... Cave A (extreme right corner) seem to always (90%) have a zebra occupying it (I think it should be the same fish - dominant male?)...

Cave B (second cave from right) was occupied and shared by two zebras for the most of today but had been abandoned when i checked earlier.

Cave C (third cave from right), which was previously empty is now occupied by a single zebra.

Two others are hanging near the entrance of Caves A and C...

No eggs yet...

[celticfish]

Until they hit 60 to 70mm its "practice runs"...

[Savant]

one more cm to go...

Actually some of them 60mm liao, including tail..

[celticfish]

Then the female fish of that size may be ready.
The males will only be ready when the odontode growth is lush.

"Patience Savant san... patience."

[Gecko]

I read this somewhere and it was true for me...after you lost stamina to constantly check and shine into their caves, and almost completely forgotten about them (of course feed and water changes continue), one day when you least expect it, you are rewarded with the sight of a baby zebra zipping across the tank when you on the tank light.

p.s. I just bought a new water proof flashlight and guess what I found last night when I tried it out (outside the tank of course) on the zebra caves?

[eeeeemo]

woah haha lawrence, reading your post makes me smile even though the zebs aren't even mine. =)

[drakeho]

Hi lawrence ! Have not been checking my zebras for a while alreadly ... But STILL the SAME ... Hope to have the same kind of feelings soon ! Haha