Breeding Kuhlie Loaches? a few questions...

[n3ont3tra]

(copied from my post on another forum)
Hi, I'm interested in breeding my black kuhlie loaches. I currently have 6 in my 29g, 3 original ones and 3 offspring. They bred when I had an undergravel filter installed on the tank and haven't bred since I switched to sand, although they've been MUCH more active. Before, I'd see one occasionally. Now, I ALWAYS see at least one, I usually see at least 3. The offspring have grown fast, I found them about a month ago, and they were about 1" long, now their almost 2 inches. On the adults, I can tell that the females are much longer than the males, and I have 2 females and one male. What I want to know is the ideal conditions for breeding. I have a spare 10g and I was going to start them in there (cycled, of course).
Should I put all 6 in there or just the 3 adults?
I think it would be best if I used gravel w/ an undergravel filter, because that's how they bred before. Temperature will probably be kept at 78*F, that is what it is in the 29g. I'd put a rock in there and some moss balls for hiding. Does all that sound okay?
Where do they lay eggs? On plants? If/when they do, should I move them to another tank? I am planning on moving the babies to a 5g, if there is not a lot. If there's a lot, then I'll get another 10g. Does all of this sound okay?
Also, I may get some normal kuhlies. Would it be okay to put them in with the black kuhlies in the 10g to breed as well? Could they breed together? What would be the result?
Looking forward to replies,
neon

[gulogulo]

Congrats on breeding black kuhlies (P. oblonga)!
I have not heard of anyone breeding this species before although I'm not the long time member of LOL that others are. I have a group of six in a 25gal that I am trying to breed. No luck yet. My suspicion on yours is that they may be breeding in your new tank but the eggs or fry are being eaten before you notice. The undergravel filter gave them a refuge.
There are others on this forum who have had sucess with other species of Pangio and will chime in soon with their thoughts.
As far as other species being added they are all compatible with regards to behavior. For breeding, hybridizing is unlikely and if it occurs should be discouraged. It will taint the gene pools of both species if they are backcrossed. Many hybrids are sterile but within a genus there is a higher likelihood of fertile hybrids. This may be more information than you wanted on genetics.
I don't want to discourage you from getting more as you are obviously doing a great job keeping them. I would strongly recommend quarantining any new purchases though.

[n3ont3tra]

Thanks for your input. I'll look into setting up a new tank for them, then. When I found the baby kuhlies they were swimming up and down in the UGF tube thing, where the bubbles go through and I removed the filter and they came out. So this time I'll just not use the filter and only have the bottom. I'll get a HOB filter, though, of course. One question, though - do they like lots of water flow? Cause if they do I'll get a powerhead.

[n3ont3tra]

Anybody else have any input? Will the tank size be okay for a short period of time?

[Graeme Robson]

Breeding Pangio's is by chance. No need for a additional power-head. In their natural habitat they come from slow moving waters with loose leaf litter in planted area's.

I would just feed them well, keep them in good waters and hopefully one day the male will take to the Gravid female.

Good luck!

[n3ont3tra]

Thank you.