For the second time -- though first we've actually filmed -- one of our Bristlenose Plecos decided to set up home right in the lions den. We bought three BNPs when we set up this 55 gal. African Cichlid tank, never dreaming they'd spawn in it. It's like giving birth on the Moon!
This young male albino BNP has found just about _the only_ place in the tank where the Cichlids cannot reach to snatch up eggs. Last time this happened, a month or so ago, the eggs hatched and we saw a number of little wigglers. We tried to saturate the area with some Sera Micron dissolved in water, but after about a week, they all disappeared. We wonder if one day we'll turn over a rock and find them all!
Anyway, we're a bit torn with this batch. Any thoughts? Should we try to pull the eggs and let them hatch in a controlled environment? Or should we just let it go and see if some make it?
Here's a short Video of what we found today:
You're wise! We should have pulled. Sadly, the eggs were gone in 48 hrs. This is the 2nd time he's spawned in that crevice. We have a plan to execute next time (tell us what you think):
(1) Once we see him guarding eggs -- ca. 1x per month, there's 2x female BNPs and the one male
(2) Siphon them out into a Lee's large specimen container (held over a bucket to catch any extras)
(3) Suspend the container in the 55 gal, turn off 1/2 tank lights, provide shade / cover (leaves, wood)
(4) Tumble them with an airstone, very light dosage of H2O2 to prevent fungus
(5) We have small pieces of wood in established tanks to put into the containers for the tiny BNPs to latch onto -- we've heard they love and need wood
(6) Change out the water regularly, and feed on recommended food -- e.g. BBS, Sera Micron (which is balanced composition of green and protein)
(7) Once surviving several weeks this way, move over to prepared 5.5 gal with ample wood and algae to grow more
(8) Next move out to larger, well-planted 10 gal and 20 gal grout tanks containing small, non-threatening species in order to really develop and grow
I vote for pulling the eggs or fry as soon as you can before your heart is broken. After nearly a year of failed spawning attempts with a pair of Ancistrus brought back from a collecting trip in Peru, they finally managed to get all the eggs fertilized but in a 38g tank that had a bunch of nearly full-grown Blue Emperor Tetras that were being grown out. Given the Ancistrus' substantial defenses, and the large size of the Ancistrus fry when they finally emerged from the cave at nearly 5 weeks old, I thought they'd be safe, foolishly as it turned out. Once the baby Bristlenoses started swimming across the tank to forage, the tetras became very curious about them. One day, I came in to the sight of a tetra first trying to swallow the head until it got as far down as the pectoral spines, spitting out the baby, then trying to swallow it tail-first until it hit the spines again, spitting it out, and then succeeding in swallowing it head-first on the second try. Then all the tetras decided that this was a good idea. I turned off the lights and left the room. Sometimes nature just has to run its course. As much as I adore the inquisitive and bold nature of my Blue Emperors, they are way more intelligent and innovative than any household pet should be. So, in light of this experience, I definitely vote for getting your hard-won Ancistrus into a safer haven.