Bristlenose Breeding In a Shell

[Jelimafish]

A few months back I bought (2) Bristlenose Plecos to clear up some diatom blooms and housed them in separate tanks. About 10 days ago I put them in the same tank and then tonight while doing a water change I saw something orange in the conch shell with one of the plecos. I lifted the Shell up and saw this little guy. They are currently in a tank with Brevis Shell Dwellers so I do not expect these fry to make it long but it was still cool to see them spawn in a shell. I have no clue how many are actually in there but here is a photo of one of them.

 

[IndianaSam]

That's too cool. Congrats on the spawn!

Why don't you expect them to survive? The male Ancistrus are pretty good parents.

 

[Jelimafish]

That's too cool. Congrats on the spawn!

Why don't you expect them to survive? The male Ancistrus are pretty good parents.

Thanks! At the moment the male is doing a great job protecting the fry however they are in a tank with 7 Brevis Shell Dwellers. While the Brevis are not very large I just cannot imagine they will make it long after they venture out of the shell. I have a breeder box so I may transfer the fry to that to raise them up but I am still undecided on that as I already have fish to rehome (including the adult BNS).

 

[Jelimafish]

Well it looks like I was wrong and they are doing quite well. Should I put them in a breeder box?

 

[Airborne001]

Nice pic......

 

[Jim Anderson]

congrats, great pic

 

[Marz]

Very cool