When Can I Tell If My Bristlenose Is Male Or Female?

[benjoey]

Hi how big will my bn get before I can tell what sex it is? at the moment its about 2-3 inches long and hos no bristles, does this mean it's a female or just too young to tell yet?

 

[Ludwig Venter]

Hi how big will my bn get before I can tell what sex it is? at the moment its about 2-3 inches long and hos no bristles, does this mean it's a female or just too young to tell yet?

I've just started with BN's myself, & from what I've heard..... is that the females have bristles only around the edges of their mouths and the male has them all over his snout..... At 2-3 inches like you have, bristles should show already, so I'm just wondering if someone did not sell you a couple of normal Plecos???

 

[benjoey]

I only have one which looks like a bristlenose from all the pictures I've seen, it has 2 small bristles just below the eyes so maybe it is a female. I'll have to search for some pictures to compare with!! Really hoping it is not a commom pleco as it would have to be taken back tot eh lfs as I have nowhere to keep a fish of that potential lol

 

[fuzzynicki]

Just below the eyes is most probably it's nostrils. Female bn's can have a few small bristles around their mouths, but none of mine have any bristles whatsoever. I breed longfins and have never had a female with bristles. Males have bristles around the mouth and up the middle towards their eyes.

 

[minnnt]

Just below the eyes is most probably it's nostrils. Female bn's can have a few small bristles around their mouths, but none of mine have any bristles whatsoever. I breed longfins and have never had a female with bristles. Males have bristles around the mouth and up the middle towards their eyes.

My female brown BN has got a few short bristles, but nothing compared to the male, he is one bristly bristle nose! The female is also bigger than the male. I see them out and about quite a bit which is nice! Certainly different to my spotted and striped raph's in my other tank! lol.