Need help on L046 sexing

[Jordi]

Hi all,

I would like to ask for opinion on the sexes of my 10 pcs of L046s.

i will share 3 pics:

1st pic of 7 pieces: same batch which i got in oct/nov 2008 when they are 1.0-1.5". So now should be arnd 2.3 yrs i guess.
2nd pic of 3 pieces: they are the mature batch arnd 3 yrs old when i got them in 2009. known to be 2m, 1f
3rd pic of 10 pieces: When the 7+3 are all put together.

Thank you all in adv :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/Jordiboy/L046/DSCN2122.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/Jordiboy/L046/DSCN2126.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/Jordiboy/L046/DSCN2103.jpg

[Jordi]

just for reference, container bottom is 6.1" x 3.4"

[Edmundo]

Jordi, the first batch from me?.. i think at least 1 female. But the 2nd batch looks all male to me............ but one of the 3 looks like some funny wavy lnes isit?

The group of ten pic..........
Top row (from left)
1. maybe F, 2. M, 3. M, 4. F, 5. M

Bottom row (from left)
All males.

[Jordi]

hi Edmundo, yes, the first batch is from you.
quite long no activity, so thought of taking them out to sex them.
how do you sex them? my first look is there are noticibly a couple of smaller ones among the first batch, so thought they are females. since all are around same age.
for my tank, there are always around 4 zebras who like to stay within caves. Are those that stay outside caves, more likely females?

for 2nd batch, the one on the most right is suppose to be the female.
the one with funny wavy lines are due to fights , some stripes was wiped out i think.

[Edmundo]

the cheek/gill growth......... and head formation. the diff in size is likely due to competition of food........ some tends to eat faster. i may not size right, let's wat others have to comment. :)

[drakeho]

Base on the rough DOB given , your fishes are ready to go . :) How big is the tank ? You have a good mix of sex ratio in it but the only thing is the young guys may not have a chance to breed . Your old boys may not wanna breed ...

[Jordi]

hi bro, my tank only 2x1x1.5 . think you seen before.
anyway, dunno can breed or not. hope not a mini monastery inside... :(

[drakeho]

Abit crowded leh . Try taking out the 3 big ones and let the smaller ones try . :)

[Edmundo]

im thinking leave the mature males behind and add the probable females in. Grow out the less mature males separately.

GET 1 MORE TANK and BUY MORE.......... :D

[barmby]

Hi Jordi, this is better than sudoku

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/9362/dscn2122.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/706/dscn2126.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/8853/dscn2103x.jpg

[drakeho]

Yo Barmby . Your ID abit off leh ....

[drakeho]

im thinking leave the mature males behind and add the probable females in. Grow out the less mature males separately.

GET 1 MORE TANK and BUY MORE.......... :D

I feel the old ones may not have a better chance than the 'young guns' . Young and ready to shoot ! :)

[Edmundo]

Bos Drake, to be honest, i realy have no idea abt breeding yet. Size, Age, Ratio, ambience, food parameters.......... probably u have the point, younger ones better becos energetic.

I met a aro breeder recently, he shared something like female is good to be younger since their eggs are smaller hence a older male can hold more eggs.

Do you guys think something like this kind can apply in pleco?

[drakeho]

I think when he say hold , it means holding more eggs in the mouth . Dont think its applicable in plecos . In general I guess the male need to be abit bigger than the female as he need to make sure the female dont force her way out onces in the cave .

[Edmundo]

In term of age and size, as an estimate, any suggestion on idea age vs size, say for example, at 2.5yrs old roughly it should reach wat size? Or wat is the idea breeding age? if we talk about 3yrs old is idea, it should reach wat size thingy.........

cheers :)

[barmby]

Yo Barmby . Your ID abit off leh ....

Maybe. I just try only. You have to chip in

[soltari007]

wow you guys all so free this morning to chat?

[johannes]

barmby yours a bit tebalik....

[barmby]

barmby yours a bit tebalik....

Thread starter asked, i gave my answer :)

heh

[Edmundo]

Soltari post ur zebra leh........... make me gian can? :D

[drakeho]

F1s Germans @1.5 years for the female . The male may be abit longer . Lets says abit over 2 years . For wild caught I guess its longer .

[Jordi]

Thank you barmby, edmundo, drakoho for the IDing and comments.... i think my pics are a bit too crowded, maybe should have taken 1 pleco 1 picture at a time.
but in any case, seems to be that males are alot more in my tank based on comments so far.
i wonder how do females look like? does females have no stout nose and their shape is distinctly female? anybody got a picture of a confirmed female mature L046 for reference?

[barmby]

This will help:-

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/9863/l046sexing.jpg