new behaviour

i have had my male bristlie for about 11 - 12 months now, and my female around 9 months. at first he didnt like her, chasing and harrassing her, she hid away alot only coming out at feeding time. after about 2 months, he eased up on her, not chasing her as much, only when she got in his way. now, 6 months on, she is very confident. i have replaced on piece of root wood, with a piece of drift wood, and changed some plants. she ventures out more than him, and is first to feed. he wont let her within about 5 inches. other than that he is ok. recently, they have been having "staring" contests which last 1 - 2 minuites. normally he mooches of, leaving her to do the same. this morning, he was outside a terracota cave, looking at her from a distance, she was half in a plastic tube. he ventures over to her, and they are about 4 inches apart. (sorry if im boring you!) lol. they were very aggressive to the cories, he flicked at one and she head butted one. then he mooches of again. do they want to spawn in different caves? any advise would be exellent! finished!

sounds like their getting it together does the female look gravid????? the female will go to his cave when shes ready thats the norm. ive never had them spawn anywere other than the males cave good luck

thanks mate, she looks quite wide, and she is not scared of him which shows they are friendly! i have put a terracotta pot in which has an entrance only big enough for the male to slip in, what is the best breeding "cave"? he spands most of his time stuck to a piece of wood, do plecs breed on wood? what are the main signs that they are about to breed? sorry for the 20 questions! lol bring on hte eggs :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

I've all ready suggested which is "the best cave", but I'd minimize the amount of caves in the tank to 1 , this cuts down what you are experiencing now -- 1 fish wanting to use 1 cave and another wanting to use another, this will work fine if you only have the pair in your tank.
J

aahhh yes i see i will use the males cave? i hope they get on with it! lol :bounce:

sounds like shes gravid then. yes they will breed on wood ive never had them do this though. but plenty of people have bred them on wood. i personally use slate caves as i make my own. signs of breeding a plump female hanging around the males cave for a few days is a possative sign when i see this going on i do a water change this helps bring on the breeding hope this helps and good luck

i will do a large water change and insert another air pump or powerhead to increase water flow. i hope they do, fingers crossed thanks for ur help!!! :bounce:

I think they can get a bit aggro when they want to stake a territory to breed in. I have a tiger panaque (L226) male who was putting everything in my tank in its place a few days ago, even my considerably larger sailfin. Now I haven't seen him for about 4 days so either he picked on someone too big and got his beans or he's looking after some new eggs.

oh yes, he is exremely stroppy anyway, he used to be friends with the corys, but now he charges them and sticks his spines out alotat them. and god help my rainbows who try and steel his wafers and veggies!
shes no better either!
another thing, he had a go at her, and she swam off, turned round and landed right next to him!

Sounds like you are having fun

yes actually, it is funny! the cories think it is too!!!

Quote :

another thing, he had a go at her, and she swam off, turned round and landed right next to him!

Now that sounds promising .
J

cheers dude, im feedin them up, and changin water regularly
bring it on :bounce: