Can female of L134 have body odontodes?

aldare · Post by **aldare** » 25 Aug 2009, 20:43

Hi all,

is it possible for females of L134 to develop body odontodes, the same like males do have? Or is it impossible?

I have 3 fish - one with male body shape and two with rounded belly, but they all have very noticeable body odontodes. The same like my mature L015 male. Is it possible I have females or are they all males?

Thanks for any ideas

Cristoffer Forssander · Post by **Cristoffer Forssander** » 25 Aug 2009, 21:39

I would say no.

If they are "furry" they are males!

Cristoffer

aldare · Post by **aldare** » 26 Aug 2009, 11:15

I've read somewhere sexing of these fish is not an easy task. There has been written even females do have hairy tail, though not as much as males.
My seller has over 20 of them (they have bred already) and all of them do have the hair. I'm confused, anyone who has any experience with these would help me. Thanks

apistomaster · Post by **apistomaster** » 26 Aug 2009, 16:39

My L134 breeders do not have nearly as well developed odontodes on their bodies as other plecos. Females have very little and virtually unseen odontodes. The males don't show much more. I find that among adult in breeding conditions that the difference between the profile looking from above is the easiest way to sex them. The females are relatively wider between their pectoral fins than the males which have a more even straight line taper from between the pectorals to the tail.
Males are much more likely to use the cave as refuges than the females except when spawning. My females, when not spawning, tend to seek refuge under pieces of wood or under or behind the large sponge filters placed in the corners of their tank.

Since I rarely see the heads of my L134 males because they are usually inside a cave, I haven't looked at the odontodes emerging near the gills but I'm sure they are more well developed than those of the females. When the light hits the males just right the body odontodes are a bit easier to see. Still, I find comparing their profiles by viewing a group from above to be the easiest way to sex them.

aldare · Post by **aldare** » 26 Aug 2009, 20:02

Thank you for that description. I'm pretty sure now my seller sold me 3 males. They will be returned.

Can female of L134 have body odontodes?

Can female of L134 have body odontodes?

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