Plecs go head in?

[lyh]

Don't know where to post this question so mod pls move it to the appropriate place if necessary. Thanks. Can someone enlighten me why is it that plecs go head in into caves? Doesn't it make more sense if they go tail in? Going head in does not allow them to watch out for predators or enemies so it doesn't really make sense to me. :D

[Edmundo]

Don't know where to post this question so mod pls move it to the appropriate place if necessary. Thanks. Can someone enlighten me why is it that plecs go head in into caves? Doesn't it make more sense if they go tail in? Going head in does not allow them to watch out for predators or enemies so it doesn't really make sense to me. :D

Does it make more sense as defense, if unattack, they can slip into cave more easily head in den trying their best to wriggle backward into the cave? By the way, i believe u seldom see how predator fishes swallow big size prey, iz head in first. Plecos are not predator fishes, if say a fishes like moral eel, iz definitely head out becos they wants to prey on smaller fishes. So now if u were the plec which position u prefer?

[lyh]

Does it make more sense as defense, if unattack, they can slip into cave more easily head in den trying their best to wriggle backward into the cave? By the way, i believe u seldom see how predator fishes swallow big size prey, iz head in first. Plecos are not predator fishes, if say a fishes like moral eel, iz definitely head out becos they wants to prey on smaller fishes. So now if u were the plec which position u prefer?

But head in first then they cannot even see if the predator is coming. Or is it because tail can grow back so they don't really mind if their tail is being eaten?

[Edmundo]

But head in first then they cannot even see if the predator is coming. Or is it because tail can grow back so they don't really mind if their tail is being eaten?

i think in the wild their cave is much deeper den wat we "made" for them in capivity. :)

[Mr.XPlecos]

But head in first then they cannot even see if the predator is coming. Or is it because tail can grow back so they don't really mind if their tail is being eaten?

dun really think that's the case. in the wild predator are most likely larger fish, smaller plecos jus need to hide themselves in rock crevices and the large head, mouth of the predator cnot reach into the small gaps. like what edmundo mentioned, tucking themselves in head first is obviously faster than to reverse in. no need for them to look at the predator.

i think in the wild their cave is much deeper den wat we "made" for them in capivity. :)

the "caves" in the wild should be quite random in dimensions, big or small. a deep cave can provide hiding for more than one pair of plecos, which reduces the chances of spawning. which is why i believe the caves made were to some degree of measurement, to ensure that "mass orgy" kind of thing wun happen.

[lyh]

dun really think that's the case. in the wild predator are most likely larger fish, smaller plecos jus need to hide themselves in rock crevices and the large head, mouth of the predator cnot reach into the small gaps. like what edmundo mentioned, tucking themselves in head first is obviously faster than to reverse in. no need for them to look at the predator.

I understand that hiding in the small holes will protect them as the large predators will not be able to reach them and that head in will allow them to move fast. But without looking, what are the chances of them knowing that predator is around?

the "caves" in the wild should be quite random in dimensions, big or small. a deep cave can provide hiding for more than one pair of plecos, which reduces the chances of spawning. which is why i believe the caves made were to some degree of measurement, to ensure that "mass orgy" kind of thing wun happen.

The 'caves' in the wild definitely will not come in perfect dimension however, they can choose one that suits them best.

[Gecko]

I think they take cave to procreate and the tail hanging out is advertising their service...head first in is the fastest mean to gain entry and once in when danger is around, flexing their muscles and raising all their spines render it unremovable, unplatable. Most predators wont hang around for so long, and also even when head in, they can still eyeball sideway whats going on outside...

[Edmundo]

I think they take cave to procreate and the tail hanging out is advertising their service...head first in is the fastest mean to gain entry and once in when danger is around, flexing their muscles and raising all their spines render it unremovable, unplatable. Most predators wont hang around for so long, and also even when head in, they can still eyeball sideway whats going on outside...

Wahaha, i like this, "advertising" their service............. :D

[autumnspecial]

as for my L333 the male head in first is to push or hold the female in the cave during mating.

[lyh]

as for my L333 the male head in first is to push or hold the female in the cave during mating.

How about the time when they are not trapping the female? Do they also go head in? I read somewhere that they use their tail to attract the female

[autumnspecial]

How about the time when they are not trapping the female? Do they also go head in? I read somewhere that they use their tail to attract the female

no la they move around in the cave sometime face in most of the time.

[chilicrabz]

I think they take cave to procreate and the tail hanging out is advertising their service...head first in is the fastest mean to gain entry and once in when danger is around, flexing their muscles and raising all their spines render it unremovable, unplatable. Most predators wont hang around for so long, and also even when head in, they can still eyeball sideway whats going on outside...

I do notice that they dun go all the way in...leaving part of the body outside. Either using its tail as a mating attraction or fending off enemies with their body of spikes. This is what i have observed when the alpha is occupying the cave.

How about the time when they are not trapping the female? Do they also go head in? I read somewhere that they use their tail to attract the female

Going head in is the fastest way to take cover. Just like in army, we jump into the manhole during emergency rather then reverse n slowly climb down with our face facing the enemy coming from behind.
It's true that they use them to attract them, the ready female will somehow bite on the male's back and try to force her way in. If the male likes her and is ready, he will come out to let her in. Ironically, if the female is not ready yet the male is too arouse, chances are that the male will try to chase her around and hopefully can trap her inside.

[celticfish]

Here's my take on this matter.
Two main points for me to highlight why "head first".

One, and most important.
They tend to the eggs while in the cave.
Safest place is the end/deepest point of the cave.

Two, physiologically, their eyes protrude out from the surface of the body.
This implies they have a minimum field of view of 180 degrees just like insects (eg. fly or dragonfly eyes).
So they see see/look directly behind their body.
However, as chillicrabz says, they don't really go all the way behind and stay there.
Neutral positionis, from my discrete observation, always at the entrance at a 45 degree angle from the entrace face.
To "adevrtise" as edmundo says... :D
Sure they zip in when you go near the tank.
But give them some time and watch from the side.
You will realize they back out and and stay in the position mentioned earlier.

If another fish goes near, two things can happen.
If they are weaker then the other fish, they do the same as when you approach the tank like an elephant.
Else, if they are the "alpha", they will come out at give the "offending" fish a big welcome KAH-NAH-CHEE!!! :eek:

[T1000]

if the 'cave' is big enuff...eg. a large vase...noticed that they will turn 180deg to face out...although they do head in too. at least this is wat my pseudas are doing:)