Cave spawner; the male guards the brood. Has been bred in aquaria.
Grow out 6-8 juveniles and let a pair form; keep the group in a well-oxygenated, stable tank.
100-200 L tank with strong flow, many caves sized to the fish (PVC or ceramic tubes), and very clean, warm water.
Cool water changes, increased flow and a seasonal drop in temperature, plus rich protein feeding.
The male guards a small clutch (5-30 large amber eggs) in the cave for around 5-10 days until they hatch; the fry carry a big yolk sac.
Fry stay in the cave until the yolk is gone, then feed on sinking algae wafers, blanched veg and crushed flake. Keep nitrate low.
One breeding tank for the leopard cactus pleco, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 24–30 °C · pH 6–7.5
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 25 cm. Tank shape is a standard 2 : 1 : 1.2 box, at least 6 adult lengths long. Check each step in the guide above.
A 160 cm rack for breeding the leopard cactus pleco in numbers.
In total: 3 tanks, about 1,396 L of water. A litre of water weighs about 1 kg, so check that the floor and rack can take the weight.
Sizes are worked out from the breeding tank in the guide. Tanks fit a standard 120 cm rack when they can; bigger tanks go on their own stands.
Adult males have a broader head and more odontodes than females, especially on the leading pectoral-fin rays and cheeks (interopercular area).
Typical for cave spawners
Give one cave per pair or female, plus a varied diet.
Eggs are laid inside the cave and guarded, usually by the male.
Eggs hatch in 3–7 days depending on the species and temperature.
Feed baby brine shrimp and crushed food. Plecos need wood and vegetables.
Fry grow on in their own tank.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Give one cave per pair or female, plus a varied diet.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.