can anyone tell me what sex this zebra is?

funkybozu · Post by **funkybozu** » 24 Dec 2003, 07:59

thanks

pleco_breeder · Post by **pleco_breeder** » 24 Dec 2003, 08:08

Hello,

I can't get a real good look, mostly because of an out-dated monitor, but it looks to be either a female or immature. IMO it's a female.

Larry Vires

funkybozu · Post by **funkybozu** » 24 Dec 2003, 08:16

hi

how can you tell if ts a ale or female?
i av only had it for a week, but before that a friend kept it for maybe 3-4 months. so its styll under a year old. its 2iches thought

pleco_breeder · Post by **pleco_breeder** » 24 Dec 2003, 08:39

Hello,

At least I know my monitor isn't that bad.

At 2 inches it is difficult to even guess what the sex is. Males develop interopercular odontodes which are a lot fuller than what I can see on this fish. By the time it reaches 3 inches, maybe before, you should have no problem determining the sex. If it is a male, you will be able to see the difference. Males also develop a thicher pectoral ray with heavier odontodes along the dorsal and anterior edges.

Larry Vires

funkybozu · Post by **funkybozu** » 24 Dec 2003, 08:56

ahh i see thank you, cant wait to find out

because i want to get it a mate

Post by **Barbie** » 24 Dec 2003, 09:27

The shape of the pectoral ray looks pretty straight from the angle of that picture to be a female. You can find helpful pictures to help you differentiate between the two Here and in the thread discussing the same topic Here. I hope that helps. There is also a wonderful article on spawning zebra plecos in Shane's world, not to mention they are discussed in the iCOSA internet ancistrinae lecture in depth.

If you read those sources and still have questions, feel free to post them

Barbie

PS. dangit I just noticed the links are bad for the exceptional differentiating pics that were posted by zebra046. Hopefully they'll get the gallery issue resolved soon.

Post by **Coryman** » 24 Dec 2003, 17:48

Can you take a picture from above looking straight down, males have a different head shape.

Ian

funkybozu · Post by **funkybozu** » 25 Dec 2003, 04:24

thanks for the info

iam gonna try to take a pic of it from above if it will come out of hiding