Apisto Cacatuoides spawning with BN plecos around

[Haunting-Walrus7199]

I've had apisto cacatuoides for about 4 years now. I got my first male in early 2021 and he just died last month. Based on that life span I believe I am treating the fish right and keeping them healthy. About 4 months ago I got a new male for my two females. I keep one female in my community tank and the other with the male in a 10 gallon. The pH maintains about 6.4, 80 deg F, covered in oak leaf litter. My previous pairs spawned fairly regularly without me doing anything too special. These guys aren't doing anything. I've tried the male with both females and nothing. They "flirt" with each other and seem interested but nothing ever happens. I should have thought of this earlier but I happen to have two bristlenose plecos in there. I came across the plecos when someone had to offload them immediately and I took them. The different fish all leave each other alone and I've seen zero aggression. But now that I think of it I'm guessing having two species of fish that like the bottom of the aquarium is the biggest problem. Thoughts? I'm thinking I need to either sell these or sell some other plecos to get them out of the apisto tank. Thanks for the help.

The two pictures were taken the day that the new male showed up in the mail.

 

[Mike Wise]

Most plecos are active at night when apistos are sleeping. They both like caves to live in, so plecos tend to bother apistos at night.