Gen II Pleco Caves

                                                                                                                                       
     For those looking for a Pleco Cave that your fish are naturally attracted to, these are the best caves available for immediate
     response from breeding age males, and were tested and proven here before being sold for their success at producing
     healthy, fertile spawns. They are now available in both the original Select Aquatics Blue, and a natural brown / sand color. Both
     are equally desired by the Green Dragon Plecos here, and the longfin albinos are stunning when sitting atop one of these new
     natural colored caves! For those who are serious about breeding the Green Dragon Plecostomus, this is THE cave you need!

     These are each professionally handmade, and are now lighter, sturdier, and smoother than the original generation I caves.
     For those who are serious about breeding the Green Dragon Plecostomus, this is THE cave you need, and these caves have
     proven themselves with other species of ancistrus as well. The smaller size caves are also being used by many to breed
     many other cave spawning species that are from 2-4 inches in length. Each cave is individually hand made, so there will
     be some slight differences in color, shape, etc.

     The design was developed after 4 years of breeding many hundreds of the Green Dragons, testing a wide variety of
     commercially available caves, bells, and PVC of various sizes. There were many desired aspects that were simply not
     available in the caves found online. There were many common, popular caves that the fish refused to enter, even
     after many months. Mature males consistently showed a preference for a specific style, color and texture of cave, and
     these Gen II caves were designed so that each of these preferences have been met. Caves were made of many colors,
     shapes, and textures, carefully documenting which traits were preferred by the fish, and which styles produced the most
     spawns. As a result, males will often take possession of these caves within 48 hrs. of being put into the tank!

     We needed a cave that the fish sought out to spawn in - as opposed to hoping that the fish would eventually spawn in whatever
     we provided. The Gen I caves were first produced in 2015, and we knew we were on to something when the males would  fight
     over this cave, even when other caves were present. With the new GEN II caves, by using new materials,  we were able to   
     produce a lighter and sturdier cave that is even easier on the fish's fins, and at a much lower cost than the previous caves.


     The Fish Showed Us What They Wanted:


     - They prefer a darker cave interior, but not so dark that the male could not see the back of the cave. The interior
        appearance of the cave by its shape, clay color and finish are very important. These plecos will not enter a cave
        that does not feel secure or safe to them. When the Green Dragons cannot see the back, they often will not enter it.

     - Many types of clays were used, and the new Gen II cave is a made of a finer, smoother, porous terra cotta to be both attractive
        to the plecos, but also to limit the amount of fin tearing and damage that occurs during breeding within the cave.

      - The exterior color had to be one of 3 colors they seemed to prefer, and the interior had to reflect light correctly to
        be dark enough to feel secluded, yet light enough so the males could see the back.

     - The cave is angled with a pedestal to help prevent eggs from being kicked out.

     - The cave's size will handle the largest adults. Large pairs here will often exceed 6 inches.

     - The outside texture is made so that algea and food will collect and grow on the surface. Rough striations
        are attractive to the females that then graze on the outside of the cave, staying nearby when ready to spawn.

     - Each cave has a hole drilled in the side, and made watertight so the cave can be gently and easily removed from  
        the tank to harvest the eggs or new fry, with as little disruption and trauma to the tank and breeding male as possible.

     - As we introduce these caves to our breeding pairs, younger plecos being grown out to be sold are raised with the smaller
        smaller versions so they are accustomed to them as they approach breeding age. Due to requests for these smaller
        caves, these are now offered for sale as well. Not only are they perfect for adapting the young plecos to the larger
        caves they will later be provided, they work perfectly when breeding species of plecos that are not as large as the
         6 to 7 inch Green Dragons.





 

              Breeders of larger Plecos have contacted me looking for larger
              caves that are generally not offered by others. I work closely with
              a single potter that creates all of the Gen II Pleco Caves, and he
              has agreed to produce larger sizes of the Gen II caves by request.
 
              Larger Pleco Breeders have requested this cave that is 11.5"
              deep, 4" high and 6" wide, and these will be kept in stock,
              and can be shipped on the day following payment.

              Each sturdy cave is nearly 4 lbs post firing, and Painted and
              Fired 4 Times Before Being Sold..

             We will do Custom sizes. These can be purchased by emailing
             selectaquatics@gmail.com with how many you would like, and
             your Zip Code. These Caves are $55 + 3-5 Day Shipping. mm

             A few of the Larger Custom Caves are Still Available.
             Please email selectaquatics@gmail.com for Availability.

        Hi Greg,

       Just wanted to say hi and let you know about your Pleco caves I purchased from you.
       I was unsure of the size I need so I purchased both sizes. I have a pair of Brown Bristle noses, one long finned and one short,
       and the larger cave was a prefect size for them. Within 2 days I had eggs and soon the whole clutch hatched! It includes about
       half albinos and half brown, but there does seem to be some variation in pigment on the browns. As you can imagine,
       I am EXTREMELY happy with these caves and will be purchasing a few more for today in hopes to get my L260's to breed!

       Thank you again. All my fish from you are doing great and haven't lost any since deliver.

       Lynn D. St. Paul, MN

____________________________________________________

       Hello Greg!

       Seems you are on to something with these pleco caves. I hadn't had a spawn in over 6 months and no sooner did I put that new 
        cave in I get a spawn. I guess my old caves weren't big enough or something. I'm very pleased!

        Thank you!!
        Kara N.  Huntsville, AL             
                                                                                   

   Removing the eggs or new fry from the cave, past the male,
   without losing any fry is often a messy and occasionally tragic
   endeavor. At best the result is often a disrupted and unhappy
   tank.

   These caves are watertight with a drilled hole in the side so
   the entire cave, with the male and spawn inside can be gently
   lifted out of the tank with a wire hook. The cave can then be
   carefully set down into a tub style container already filled with
   aquarium water, and then gently tipped to release the fry.
   Often the male will stay within the cave, and the release of
   young can be such that a desired number of young can be left
   behind, so the male is left with some young to raise.
 

    We are pleased to announce a new
    partnership with AOC Ceramics,
    specializing in top quality,
    affordable custom work in Terra cotta,
    porcelain, earthenware and stoneware.

    The friendly, skilled staff at AOC can
    create a wide range of requests for the
    aquarium hobby. They will ship worldwide.

   Unfortunately, due to their workload they are 
   now satisfying private contracts only, but can
   be contacted by emailing Greg Sage at
   selectaquatics@gmail.com.

                                These Caves are Currently not Available, Select Aquatics is currently
                                             in the process of recruiting another Pottery Company to produce these
                                             handmade, specialty caves.  An announcement will be made on the 
                                             Homepage as soon as they are back in production.                
                                                             

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