Breeding Bristlenose?

Hi there, i have had some success in breeding a few different types of livebearers but i want to start learning how to breed Plecostomus's, i am hoping people can give me as much advice as possible.
I set up to use (not actually set up yet) it includes a 5ft tank, heater, filter, pump, 3 medium-large driftwood, 3 breeding caves.
i want to start with bristlenose as ive read that they are the easiest of the plecostomus family to breed but would appreciate some more info.
This may sound like a dumb question but would they breed better if the fish were not related??

thanks and i look forward to hearing your advice

First off welcome hear danny...you may like to post here to say hello to everyone..

http://www.bristlenoseworld.com/new-members-f1/

And have a read through this thread first, everything you need to no to start up is in this read....

http://www.bristlenoseworld.com/the-breeding-cave-f8/breeding-the-bristlenose-pleco-t1320.htm

If you have any further questions after reading the article then just ask...

And yes it would be alot better if you bought your fish that were unrelated as your baby's will survive alot better ....

unless you want hillbilly bristlenose playing banjos on the porch of the trailer cave while chewing tabacco and spitting out their last remaining tooth then dont inbreed!

on a more serious note. aquarium fish already suffer considerably from inbreeding depression and should be fought as much as possible. Anyone ever wonder why the 'German' blood lines of fish are some much brighter and better than normal stock...Its becasue they regulate their breeding such that after 3 spawns new bloodlines much be introduced (so my local fish shop owner tells me). new bloodlines create genetic diversity and genetic diversity leads to strength, resistance and better health. no to mention as curby said, inbred fry will have a significantly higher mortality rate as genetic defects are much more common

Well said Doug...

thats great. thanks for your help guys.
any more tips would be great.

I have just purchased some starlight bristlenose fry, hope fully i will be able to get another couple from a different breeder and then in arround 6 month they may be ready to breed.

think it will take a little longer than 6 months to get them to breeding size. mine took at least 10 months

well maybe 10 months then, hehe

danny wrote:

well maybe 10 months then, hehe

they also grow upto 10 inches mate....one of the largest bristlenose's around belive you me, my male is huge.....

Here is BIG Freddy,..look at the small common female at the side of him i say small she is fully grown at 4 inches....



And here is a my fully grown L182 female next to a common albino female who is also fully mature...check the size difference..