Breeding / Rarely bred at home
Rarely bred at home · Hard
Breeding the royal pleco
Has apparently been bred in aquariums, but details are scarce; it is essentially never bred by hobbyists and trade fish are wild-caught.
Step by step
Pairing
Almost never bred in captivity. Wild fish are the main source.
Breeding tank
A very large tank with wood and caves, 26-30 C.
What starts it
Not known; no regular spawning in home tanks.
Eggs and young
Unknown.
Raising the fry
Not known; juveniles need wood and plant foods.
Common mistakes
- Using small tanks
- Wood-free diet
- Expecting reliable breeding
Male or female
Adult males develop very long odontodes (bristles) on the cheeks (interopercle) and hooked spines on the leading pectoral-fin rays.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- This species is rarely bred in home tanks.
- Hard: for experienced breeders.