My first Leporacanthicus! What are the genders? (Leporacanthicus Joselimai)

[Jobro]

I got these three fish yesterday. They are my first Leporacanthicus and I am not sure how to sex them.

Sizes are about 11-12cm TL.

I was told they spawned before, twice. I am inclined to believe I have both sexes from what I can see and from what the previous owner told me. But not sure at all.
Would like to hear everyone's opinion. Thank you.

Johannes

[MarcW]

Nice fish!

I'm no expert with Leporacanthicus, but to me it looks like 2 females and a male.

I'm basing that on two with rounded bodies which also have pointed heads. The other I think is a male, are there any (or more than the other fish) odentodes on or around the head of the fish in the left of the picture?

Good luck spawning them.

[Jobro]

Thank you Marc,

The fish on the left has a line of odontodes along his lateral. I can confirm, that at least one of the rounder ones does not show these odontodes. Can't see it on the other individual, because it's in hiding.

I did not notice any remarkable odonthodes around the head, though.

I would tend to agree, that it is one male and two females. But I barely base it on the two of them being so round.

[Thomas1209]

I don't have any experience with Leporacanthicus but I would also say the right ones are 2 females and the left one is probably a male. The left one isn't thin either, but I still would say you have a trio of them.

[MarcW]

I believe head shape is a clue in Leporacanthicus, females have pointed and narrower heads than males, they are also the rounder shape.

It seems a few of us are in agreement with the genders, hopefully someone who has more experience with these will be able to confirm it.

[Jobro]

The "male" is already trapping one of the fatter ones

I hope it's not just fight for a cave.

We had snow tonight, and this morning I find a pair of L134 trapping (yay!! First spawn for 6 months I guess!) and also two pairs of L260 trapping. And now the L264 as well... looks like the barometer was on my side tonight

[MarcW]

That's great news, hopefully its a spawn instead of an argument! They looked to be in good condition in the pictures above.

[Jobro]

Thanks Marc! I read the males are quite quick when it comes to eating the eggs, so I covered the front window for now.

I was not even thinking about getting Leporacanthicus until I saw them... but it was a rare chance to get fish at a spawn-able size for reasonable prices, especially in a config like 1M, 2F... The opportunity seemed just too good to be true.

Even though I don't really have lot's of tank space for them right now. Need to upgrade
They are in a 60L quarantine right now... Please don't bash me for the small tank, I know I need to get them a bigger one. But they seem to bear quite well with it for now.

[MarcW]

We all have a quarrentine tank which has turned into a more permanent setup! That's where my L260 live!

Once you take a look let us know if there are eggs, it'll also be cool to see their new tank when you get it setup.

[Jobro]

too bad, there was no spawn well maybe the next days...

[bekateen]

Good luck. This is exciting.

Cheers, Eric

[Jobro]

The male has claimed all three caves now
he keeps switching between them... females are usually close by.

But nothing else to report here.