Can Psuedas be vent sexed?

[mjlfish]

Title says it all, looking to buy some but they are some pretty spendy fish and would like to know from people who have experience with these if they can be vent sexed like other plecos. Thanks alot!

[mjlfish]

Oh and they are roughly 6 inches total length.

[PseudaSmart]

The easy answer is yes but the details are what you really need. For most species of Pseuda's they are sub-adults or adults at 6" so you can see a difference between the sexes of the same species. The traits are not the same across the species. Larger Pseuda's may need to be larger. I think a view from the top is just as effective and easier to do - but I have been at this a while. If you want help send me a PM.

Jim

[mjlfish]

pm sent Jim

[mjlfish]

Jim, I sent you an email with pics! I'm crossing my fingers they will help.

[mjlfish]

[magdalo]

Pics are not close and clear. But based on the head and body shape, they look like males IMO.

[Cristoffer Forssander]

Looks like males.

[mjlfish]

[mjlfish]

they are a little tore up from fighting, but I acclimated them, took pics, and put them into separate tanks and medicated to ensure they heal up and don't miss a beat. hopefully these pics will help to id the sexes of this beautiful pseuda. Thanks, Matt.

[Cristoffer Forssander]

I can see one female there!

[mjlfish]

That is what I thought as well. Are you basing that on the shape of the fins?

[Cristoffer Forssander]

I look at head shape compared to the body.

[mjlfish]

Ok thank you! I had heard the rear pair of fins on m/f were different from each other is why I asked. Guess I need good top shots of all 6 of them then so I can see what you do. great info I appreciate it very much.

[PseudaSmart]

I have been trying to reply most of the day. It is a snow day here and the web has been a little temperamental..

I see 1 female, 3 males, and 2 tbd. I agree with Cristoffer that head shape, and body (comparing the width to the length) are the most consistent. The growth on the pectoral fins works for some species of Pseudas but not all (L24 and L25 have been mentioned).

In past posts I commented about the shape of the anal fins. Again this does not hold true for all. Looking from the top when an L600 male has the fins flared out the back pair look like an umbrella. The primary ray has a point and the back of the fins form a straight line. For a female, one fin looks like a teardrop without the point and the fins curving up as they approach the body. I am keeping a list attributes for each species.

Give it a few more years and you will be an expert.
Jim

[mjlfish]

I have been trying to reply most of the day. It is a snow day here and the web has been a little temperamental..

I see 1 female, 3 males, and 2 tbd. I agree with Cristoffer that head shape, and body (comparing the width to the length) are the most consistent. The growth on the pectoral fins works for some species of Pseudas but not all (L24 and L25 have been mentioned).

In past posts I commented about the shape of the anal fins. Again this does not hold true for all. Looking from the top when an L600 male has the fins flared out the back pair look like an umbrella. The primary ray has a point and the back of the fins form a straight line. For a female, one fin looks like a teardrop without the point and the fins curving up as they approach the body. I am keeping a list attributes for each species.

Give it a few more years and you will be an expert.
Jim

Jim, I don't know about the expert part as I thought maybe 2 possibly 3 female but that may be wishful thinking! I separated them into 2 groups of 3 taking a large male in each group. I figure to get them comfy and healthy and well fed, then take them out and examine them again. It would seem there is at least a girl there so there is hope! Thanks for your useful input, it's nice to talk with someone who has good experience with this species. Now if only my other new fish have both sexes in there respective groups I will be really pumped!