Pseudacanthicus spinosus (L065) Breeding Guide

Breeding the Spiny Cactus Pleco (L065): one of the described Pseudacanthicus cactus plecos, a cave-spawner with paternal egg care documented at genus level.

Overview

Pseudacanthicus spinosus (L065) is one of the described cactus plecos named explicitly in the Tropical Fish Hobbyist breeding overview of the genus. Wikipedia records Pseudacanthicus as native to South America in the Amazon and Orinoco basins and the rivers of the Guianas. Detailed species-level spawning reports are scarce, so the documented genus-level practice for cactus plecos is given, which confirms cave-spawning with male care.

Sexing

Tropical Fish Hobbyist reports that male cactus plecos develop longer pectoral and ventral fins and thicker pectoral spines, with a bulky, chiselled head, while females have a more pointed head and, when ready, a much wider belly. Sex can usually be told from around 15 cm.

Conditioning

These are carnivorous plecos. Tropical Fish Hobbyist recommends conditioning mostly on frozen foods and meaty tablets rather than vegetables, judging readiness by the female's belly becoming much wider than the male's.

Breeding Setup

Tropical Fish Hobbyist recommends a tank at least 100 cm long and 40-50 cm deep with caves, driftwood and stones with large openings, plus strong filtration. The breeding cave should be about 5 cm longer than the male's total length, just wide enough for him to enter with pectoral fins half-extended, with a rough interior so the clutch grips.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Tropical Fish Hobbyist recommends warm water of about 27-32 °C, soft and neutral to slightly acidic, using water changes with soft, slightly acidic water as a trigger. The female enters the cave and lays eggs along the top while the male fertilises and then guards them.

Egg & Fry Care

Tropical Fish Hobbyist reports an adult female can produce about 500 eggs. The eggs hatch after six to seven days and the larvae take about five days to absorb their yolk sacs while the male tends them, after which the juveniles disperse and need several small feedings a day.

Common Challenges

Tropical Fish Hobbyist warns juveniles often start dying around 3 cm from overcrowding, bacterial build-up and a shortage of space and hiding areas. Adequate volume, frequent feeding and stable water quality are essential to raise the brood.