Sexing clown plecos

michelle7 · Post by **michelle7** » 08 Jan 2005, 05:27

Hey everyone! I was wondering if someone out there could help me out a bit...

I currently have 2 clown plecos in a 30 gal tank. The tank is quite crowded right now, but occupants will be moving in the near future when some other fish are large enough.

Currently, in this 30 gal high, I have 3 adult angels, 4 cories, 2 cardinal tetras, and the 2 clowns. The tank is furnished with lots of live plants and driftwood pieces. It gets a 40% w/c every week. I was doing w/c's more often, but was having problems with sick fish. Finally resorted to trying w/c's less often, and haven't had a problem since.

pH is 7.4-7.5 Temp sits at 80*, GH is 10, KH is 5, and ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites consistently test out at 0.

Now, with less tankmates, would it be possible to get a pair of clowns to breed in these water conditions??

I guess I should ask first - can someone explain to me how to even sex these fishies!? I tried reading their "write-up" under the cat-elogs and didn't get a whole lot out of it.

Thanks!

Michelle

Post by **Barbie** » 08 Jan 2005, 09:03

You might try reading the Ancistrinae internet lecture that's located in Shane's World. There's a ton of great information there on breeding plecos of different species. It will definitely give you a better idea for what you're looking for.

Barbie

michelle7 · Post by **michelle7** » 09 Jan 2005, 02:05

Thanks Barbie - I read thru that lecture and yes, there is a LOT of info on there! Thank you!

But I have a question still: what are "odontodes"? I haven't a clue what they could be - whiskers of some sort? LOL

Michelle

julian · Post by **julian** » 16 Jan 2005, 17:32

odontodes are the small tooth like spikes on the first pectoral spine, they are usually more prominant in males

Post by **Shane** » 16 Jan 2005, 20:39

odontodes are the small tooth like spikes on the first pectoral spine, they are usually more prominant in males

Actually odontodes can be found all over the bodies of many loricariids. In fact, male P. maccus develop a strong growth of odontodes on the body, from behind the dorsal fin to the caudal peduncle, when they are sexually mature.
-Shane

stina · Post by **stina** » 16 Jan 2005, 20:59

In Clown plecos you should really look odontoidal growth on the back part of the body...
First pectoral fin isn't so hairy with panaquolus maccus...