L134 Tank - advice welcome

paularnaudg

New Member
May 21, 2017
2
0
1
Brussels
Hello everyone,

Although I am often reading topics on this forum, I've never posted anything so this is my first post, as I wanted to show my tank (and ask a couple of questions). I've had an aquarium since many years now and I finally got the opportunity to have a group of L134.
I am still trying to take out the other fishes (but i thought that I could keep my ramirezi couple in there without trouble?) to let them alone.

Since a few months now, I am the proud owner of 9 adult L134. My aquarium is as follows:
Size: 120 liters (1 meter x 30 cm x 40 cm)
Temperature: 29° C (I've heard it can go up to 30, I usually keep it at 28 but since the weather is getting hot, so is the tank)
Regarding the water parameters, I use RO water (with some tap water) and I have:
pH: 6,6-7
GH: 2-4°
KH:4-6°

My goal is to manage the breeding, and since I am new in the pleco world I obviously have some questions.

The first question is about the sex of my L134's. I think I have at least 5 males (hidden in my 5 caves) and I would like you to help me, but for now I don't have enough good pictures. I tried to make pictures of the ones that do not have their cave but even after one hour of watching I couldn't make any correct picture of them. Below is what I could photograph:

the tank:
https://ibb.co/j2VVSa

I think this one is a female:
https://ibb.co/jff8DF

What I think are only males:
https://ibb.co/c5mgYF
https://ibb.co/kW5KLv
https://ibb.co/cQ3H7a
https://ibb.co/jvUDfv

Then one question is about a male (I think) who looks pale compared to the others. He is eating normally, and he's been like this since the beginning. First I thought it was stress but now it's been some time alreay. Do you think there could be something to worry about?
https://ibb.co/kDoZna

About the set-up of the tank, do you think it is good to keep the caves next to eacht others like I did, or should I try to spread them all over the aquarium?

And finally (I have other questions but I'll keep them for later :D ), how much do you feed? I bought Hikari Algae wafers and give 3 per day, is that enough/too much? I never really saw guidelines for the quantity (and i can't tell how long it takes them to eat since it's at night).

Any comments are welcome! I want my fishes to have perfect living conditions so I'm sure there's room for improvement.

Thanks in advance,

Paul
 

Shaun S

Member
Oct 18, 2016
11
0
1
Melbourne Australia
Congrats on your tank,,, I wouldn't try to overthink things. I tend just to make sure water is clean and within spec, keep PH stable temp stable etc. These guys will do their thing when ready.

I love how your water can have a KH of 4-6 and a PH of 6.6 to 7 you are lucky.
My water starts out at 7.2 with a KH of ZERO

I won't comment on the sexing thing but as far as feeding goes,, 3 hikari wafers for the 9 of them I suppose is ok, its something you'll get a better feel for over time,, just keep an eye on the substrates cleanliness.

With placement of the caves, I don't think this matters, As long as they feel safe and have plenty of hidy holes and the scenery looks interesting, they'll be happy. Good luck with the upcoming spawns!
 
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paularnaudg

New Member
May 21, 2017
2
0
1
Brussels
Hello Shaun,

Thank you for your feedback. For now they seem fine, I'm trying to keep things clean and hope for some good news soon.
 
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