Sexing via genitals L134

[powerfulpumpkins]

I dont know if this is possible but can plecs in general be sexed by their genitals ?
I have yet to look into sexing my four L134's but it would be useful to know if sexing by the looks of their genitals is a valid method and if so what do you look for ?
Any thoughts on the attached pic that I managed to get recently.
Thanks

[powerfulpumpkins]

Nobody able to comment on this ? I thought I read somewhere that viewing the genitals was a method of sexing loricariidae fish.

[MatsP]

I'm not sure. I always find looking at body shape is the best way (and it helps to have a few of the same species when doing this!)

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Mats

[PlecoCrazy]

The picture isn't the best is the reason I have not replied. From what I see I'd say a male but a shot of the entire genital would be the best.

Here is a link to look at http://www.plecoworld.org/modules.php?n ... light=l134

[powerfulpumpkins]

Thanks for both of your feedback. I was just pondering if genital sexing was a valid method of sexing. Knowing my luck I will have 4 males - I am usually pretty good at buying all the same sex lol. I have to move the fish in the coming months so at that point I will get some pictures and post them.
Thanks

[MatsP]

It is certainly one of the valid methods for sexing the fish. But it's not without difficulty, and each species is slightly different. Most Ancistrini's (which is the group that Peckoltia belong to) are pretty easy to sex from above, becuase of the difference in head and overall body shape. It helps if they are mature and in good condition.

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Mats

[Rabbit]

I agree with matsp the Ancistrinae family is generally quite easy to sex without this method. My experience is that the much larger species are alot more pronounced in this area, and with that in mind its alot more simple. Simply said the genitals are U and V separating the sex's, i have not tried this on sexually immature fish before which may play a role in the development of the genitals or out of water which may lead to retraction of the genitals giving inconclusive results. It is also noted that the females genitals sit in a "well" like construction in order to provide easy dispersal of eggs.

HTH