How Often Do Bn Plecos Breed?

I came home from a 2 week vacation to find that my bn pleco and my albino bn had bred and birthed babies! They were quite the surprise to find, and I wasn't at all prepared for them when I came home two days ago.

Unfortunately, unless they very quickly learned to hide and I just can't find them, I think most, if not all of them, have become food for the other members of the community.

I would like to keep at least a few next time, so I'm hoping they will breed again. This time I have a breeder net ready to protect the fry.

Does anyone know how often the bn plecos will breed? I assume they're easy to breed since I didn't do a thing to spark this last romantic rendezvous. Hoping they'll make some more babies that I can raise!

 

They're like rabbits (won't stop).
Be sure you can get rid of youngsters before you let them do their thing !

 

They're like rabbits (won't stop).
Be sure you can get rid of youngsters before you let them do their thing !

My lfs will take some, and I have a few friends who are interested. After the next batch or two I'll probably separate them for a while so I don't get overrun. Although, it seems that the other fish in my community tank rather enjoy baby plecos as a snack, so they'll help keep the numbers under control.

 

They generally breed every month once they get started, sometimes if the tank isn't as clean they won't breed for while.

 

They generally breed every month once they get started, sometimes if the tank isn't as clean they won't breed for while.

Thanks for the info. These two have been together for a few months, but the female was much younger than the male, so I think she just finally reached sexual maturity. I couldn't tell whether she was a female or not for quite a while, she spent most of her time hiding from me.