Yellow King Tiger Pleco? Male or Female

[Yamaha]

Hello, I purchased these a couple years ago as Yellow King Tiger Plecos. I've been trying to figure out if they are male or female.

They both like caves, and spend time guarding them.
They both have only tufts for odontode spines.
One of them has MUCH larger stripe pattern than the other.
They are about the same size.

Pleco1

Pleco2

The digicam has a little trouble getting through the Acrylic. Sorry for that. If necessary I can pull em out into a small clear plastic bin and do macro mode pics

Thanks for any help =)

Dan

[ProudPreston]

Best way with these is viewing them from above most females are much rounder in the stomach region. If you can get pictures from above that would be good.

[Sanplec]

Fish 1 looks like female, but I agree with ProudPreston.
Pictures from above would tell us more.
Nice fishes btw!

[apistomaster]

I also prefer to view them from above when trying to sex plecos. Odontodes can come and go with the condition of the fish but there is usually a difference in head shape and females tend to have a bulge regardless of their stage in condition.

I'm curious about what L-number you consider them to be. To me they are L333.

[Yamaha]

Yes, I have largely regarded them as L333 since I got them. In the tanks normal lighting their not very yellow. But when you take pictures with flash the yellow does come out.

My concerns are that they are different.

One has a lyre tail, the other not.
One has very large markings, the other not.

They were purchased together from a lady a few cities over. They were from a batch of 6; these two were a bit lighter colored than the other 4. They were very yellow.

I also have 6 juvinile fish sold to me as "Lower rio xingu" pleco's. The L number I know not. Theyre stripes are almost pure vertical. They are too young (small) to really see what they are just yet.

I am new to these pleco so bear with my lack of terminology.

I will try to get a top view of these 2 this week.

[Sanplec]

L333 can have different patterns, depends on where they've been caught.
Porto do Moz: wide lines and a bright yellow colour
Xingu: most seen pattern
Alenquer: thinner, pale lines
Boda Seda: thinner, yellow lines



But I find it hard to distinguish.
However, youngsters have also a brighter and bigger pattern. The first fish does seem to have big blown up eyes.
They say that could be a problem with growth.

By the way, what makes you guys think it's a L333?
Cause I find L340 also a good candidate.

[johannes]

L340 has flatter and elongated head with bumps. their tail also different. L340 has tail similar to L129 and L270 type of caudal.

[Yamaha]

Hello I'm back!

I have moved my pleco's tank, and had an opportunity to take pictures from above as suggested. Please see links

http://www.silkroadforums.com/ryoko/plecosxing1.jpg
http://www.silkroadforums.com/ryoko/plecosxing2.jpg
http://www.silkroadforums.com/ryoko/plecosxing3.jpg
http://www.silkroadforums.com/ryoko/plecosxing4.jpg
http://www.silkroadforums.com/ryoko/plecosxing5.jpg
http://www.silkroadforums.com/ryoko/plecosxing6.jpg

'A' is the one who guards the cave. (And not very interested in his pellets today)

http://www.silkroadforums.com/ryoko/plecosxing7.jpg


'B' Just kinda mulls about behind or beneath whatever

[plecoboy]

A could be a young male, but at first glance I think female

B looks female with the smooth pectoral fins.