Lays eggs on a vertical surface, very often the tank glass; the male stays with them and fans them until they hatch.
Keep 2-3 males with several females; the male guards the eggs.
80-100 L tank with sand, smooth bamboo or pipe caves, and cool, well-oxygenated water.
A cool water change and good flow often triggers spawning.
Eggs are laid on an open vertical surface, very often the tank glass, not in a cave, and hatch in about 6-10 days under the male's care.
Fry are tiny; feed biofilm, crushed spirulina flake, and microworms. Keep the water very clean.
One breeding tank for the twig catfish, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 24–27 °C · pH 6–7 · sand bottom
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 22.5 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 145 cm rack for breeding the twig catfish in numbers.
In total: 3 tanks, about 400 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.
Mature males have a broader snout (rostrum) that grows rows of bristle-like odontodes along its sides; females lack them.
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.