L046 sexing assistance?

The April FOTM Contest Poll is open!
FishForums.net Fish of the Month
🏆 Click to vote! 🏆

Hf21

New Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2019
Messages
19
Reaction score
1
Location
Nottingham
Hi all,
I have a group of l046 I’m unsure on sexing. They’ve spawned so I know there are mixed sexes but would love to know the ratios if anyone could assist I would greatly appreciate it!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7449.jpeg
    IMG_7449.jpeg
    215.8 KB · Views: 7
  • IMG_7440.jpeg
    IMG_7440.jpeg
    225.7 KB · Views: 5
  • IMG_7431.jpeg
    IMG_7431.jpeg
    232.8 KB · Views: 5
  • IMG_7424.jpeg
    IMG_7424.jpeg
    226 KB · Views: 4
  • IMG_7423.jpeg
    IMG_7423.jpeg
    230.4 KB · Views: 5
  • IMG_7411.jpeg
    IMG_7411.jpeg
    193.2 KB · Views: 6
  • IMG_7408.jpeg
    IMG_7408.jpeg
    195.1 KB · Views: 6
  • IMG_7399.jpeg
    IMG_7399.jpeg
    196.4 KB · Views: 5
  • IMG_7387.jpeg
    IMG_7387.jpeg
    189.1 KB · Views: 3
  • IMG_7384.jpeg
    IMG_7384.jpeg
    233.5 KB · Views: 5
see if they have small hairs on the pectoral (side) fins. If they do, they are male.
 
It is not the easiest way to sex them looking from above. I prefer to vent them to be sure. Some of the best pleco folks I know, oones who taught me, have had problems with sexing zebras.

From above, and without better resolution and not pictures from the side or their undrside, here is my best guess. I could be very wrong.

1. Likely male
2. Likely female
3. Likely male
4. Not sure could go either way
5. Maybe female
6. Likely female
7. Likely female
8. Likely female
10. Probably male

Now I am probably wrong because you are female heavy which is not all that common. The ideal ratio is 2 males/1 female. I cant tell as accurately, or moreso, from behavior than pictures from above. I would bet I have a few of the ones I call female wrong as there should normally not be that many in a random group.

In general:
Male has a pointier head and females a more rounded one
Males get more prominent odontiles on their cheeks and on the front edge of their pectorals
Females tend to have a wider body behind the head and males are more streamlined.
Most males have a black dot at the point where the tube is out.
Males will claim cave while females mau use them, especially to overnight, but they do not claim them.

Have a look here https://www.zebrapleco.com/core/hypancistrus_species_info.php
and here https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=168
 

Most reactions

trending

Members online

Back
Top