Sexing WC N. brevis "sunspot"

[Xxzsdrklakdfj]

,VA
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 8:31 pm Post subject: Sexing N. Brevis "sunspot"

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hey sup, i just got back from cichlid imports where i bought a "pair" of WC N. Brevis "sunspot" they guy said he wasn't to sure how to sex them, so i picked one that is about 2in and a second that was around 1in. I was just hoping that they would be similar to multifasciatus in the fact that the males were bigger than females so i figured this would be a good guess. So considering the great size difference is that how i would be able to tell male from female? and is there any other ways to tell them apart.

Now for my second question concerning the brevis, i bought a pair but since the male immediately darted into a conk shell the owner really had no choice but to give me the shell it went into, and then he caught me a "female". Later once they were aclimated i saw the 2in brevis come out and explore a few times, before finally one time when he exited the shell he was quickly followed by the 1 in. one that i picked out. But what i didn't expect was after a few more times of the male going in and out while the 1in "female" explored was when the 2in. one came out i saw a 3rd brevis poking out of the conk shell!!!!! this was another at 1in. but it also was kinda a good amount darker than the other 2, was this just stress? So would having a trio like this be fine for the brevis or would it be better to just let a pair form up and get rid of the 3rd? I wouldn't mind having 3 since it was free and all, but if it would cause the original pair i bought not to breed then i'd rather just have a pair!!!

Well thanks for the advice.
-matt
Also the 3rd brevis i got free has still failed to completely leave the shell and the male stays at the mouth of the shell or close to it. I even went right back to the lfs to see if some live brine shrimp would tempt her out but nope. So do u perhaps they had breed in the store and have a few fry or eggs in the shell? they are kinda acting like any of the other shelldwellers i've breed in the past??? or am i just wishing a little to hard and she's just stressed

 

[smb]

Not sure how to sex them unless you vent, but they only get about 2".

Are they all the same age?

They lay their eggs in shells and are pretty peaceful fish, so I wouldn't worry about taking any back. As long as you have enough shells for each it should be fine.

 

[Xxzsdrklakdfj]

ya i asked the guy if they all came from the same shippment, and he told me yeah, and i beleive him cause somebody that's tight w/ the owner told me that the owner(who makes all orders of fish) is at the moment out at sea, so no new shippments have been made in months. But cichlidimports really is a pretty good store, and considering the size difference i'm pretty sure i got 1m/2fm. Lol i thought about venting them but didn't for two reasons
A) 2 are TINY
B) would have taken LONG time considering they have their shells, and 1 fm still hasn't left her shell

i think i'll just wait till i see some fry to know, lol
that is unless anybody has some more tips besides size to tell them apart cough:cough::CM:cough

thanks,
-matt