Wowzergsd

Hi - I've been keeping catfish for about 20 years, but i've never seen behaviour like this! I recently lost my big, beautiful giraffe nosed cat after 16 years, having got him as fully grown. I've just got 3 baby Giraffes (Auchenoglanis Occidentalis) to grow on, each about 3". My old 15" Sailfin Plec has genuinely started mothering, guarding and sheparding the 3 babies! Its amazing to watch -she(?) lifts herself up onto pelvic fins to allow the 3 baby giraffes to go underneath, which they always do, and she takes them around the tank feeding, playing etc. She's protective over them and waits for them to swim underneath her to move between cave sites, or to go for food, There is simply no other explanation that I can think of, except she's 'adopted' them as her own fry. Anyone come across anything similar?

Butterfly

That is so cool!!!! Any pics ?
Carol

Lucy

Welcome to FishLore!
I'm sorry for your loss, must have been rough after having her for so long.
We'd love to see some pics, that sounds really awesome!

whisper

I think she has the Mother syndrome.

LauraJoe

Toddnbecka

Interesting behavior indeed, but it's the male pleco's that tend eggs/fry. Once the fry have become free-swimming the parent usually ignores them.

aquarist48

Hello Wowzer and Welcome to Fish Lore. Sorry to hear about your loss. I know it isn't easy.

Great and unusual story about your Pleco! Too cute! We love photos around here if you have the means!
Ken