Bristlenose sex

Beersnob · Post by **Beersnob** » 01 Sep 2005, 03:47

I have been having trouble trying to sex my Bristlenose cats. Any suggestions?

Scott

Sillyfish · Post by **Sillyfish** » 01 Sep 2005, 05:14

males have more "bristles" on their faces, whiel female susuallu only have a few closer to their mouths.

Azmeaiel · Post by **Azmeaiel** » 01 Sep 2005, 05:33

females have few if any bristes and then only around the lip, they are usually a chololate brown unless stressed or cranky. males have numerous bristles especially a row down the centre of their snout, mine seem to show a more mottled pattern most of the time. females are also more 'plump' when in breeding condition.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 01 Sep 2005, 09:39

Of course this advice is really good, but unless they are at the very least 6-9 months old, it's pretty much pointless to try to sex them. I know someone (Plecobreeder or Plecofarmer or some such name) said that he could determine sex at 3-4 months, but that was more a case of comparing body shape in a big bunch of them, and picking the ones with the "male" or "female" shape.

If you only have one fish, that don't work, because there's nothing else to compare with. Then you have to wait until the fish is at least 2 inches long. If it's over two inches and no bristles, it's almost certainly a female. If it's got bristles at 2 inches or more, then it's almost certainly a male.

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Mats

fluff34567 · Post by **fluff34567** » 25 Sep 2005, 09:26

hi everyone, new here so go easy!

rather than start a new topic....

ok i have 2 bristlenose plecos, one is i am sure is a female is 6.5 cm long and no bristles, the other is meant to be a male, its 5cm long and has a few bristles but only along the top of its lip and one very small bristlein the middle just above its lip but none down the head as i have seen in other pictures.

I have read on a few sites and some books that it is possible for a female to have bristles only along the lip, i have a picture - could u have a look and see what u think please???

possible male???

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/ ... lenose.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/ ... b277f4.jpg

in this pic u can just see the single bristle that is above the rest of the ones along the lip - i dont think that this is enough proof of it being a male tho!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/ ... cc3f5e.jpg

ok this i am 99% sure this is a female, but am not sure if its the same species as the questionable male - PLEASE give me your opinion.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/ ... 8e3e93.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/ ... 568cb2.jpg

I used links instead of posting the pictures as it saves the page having to load.

i appreciate any help u can give me.

ta rob.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 26 Sep 2005, 10:59

I think you have one male and one female. My experience is that females do not have bristles until they grow QUITE OLD. Someone else may have different experience(s) of course...

If they are both around 6.5cm, then the "female" should have at least some bristles if it was indeed a male, I'm 99% sure here.

Males don't get BIG bristles until they are quite big, so it's very likely that your "male" is indeed a male... I'd say 99% sure.

So, in total, 98% sure that it's a pair. Good luck breeding them...

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Mats

fluff34567 · Post by **fluff34567** » 26 Sep 2005, 11:06

hi Mat, thanks for the reply! now there is a difference in the spot markings around the head between the "male" and the female - is it possible that this is because the male is young?? Im all a bit confused at the mo as there are many that look alike! ( to me anyway

)

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 26 Sep 2005, 11:14

I would think both are . From what I see, the female is a bit stressed [so would mine be if they were in a plastic cage with nowhere to hide, presumably just been caught in a net...].

If you have a picture of both of them in calm colouration, it would help. [I know, they aren't always forthcoming with letting themselves being photographed. I find that feeding them helps...].

--
Mats

fluff34567 · Post by **fluff34567** » 26 Sep 2005, 11:34

yep i only put them in there for a few mins to get a few photos, the "male" is def Ancistrus sp(3. the female im not too sure about as the markings on the head dont seem to match. I will try and get a better picture of the female.

Beersnob · Post by **Beersnob** » 01 Oct 2005, 22:19

As a clarification I have 2 Bristlenoses with bristles. One is an albino and the other natural occurring color/patterns. they act like a breeding pair...but that just doesn't add up.

I thought I would have to separate 2 males to keep them from tearing each other up, but this not an issue for these 2.

j4782 · Post by **j4782** » 02 Oct 2005, 01:05

I have a male and female, he's much bigger. I've got to say that having a male and female doesn't mean one won't still tear the other up. She wasn't in the greatest shape sortly after laying eggs. Her dorsal fin was in tatters, so I isolated her and fed her well. Luckily, in a few days, she had mended. It's been a few weeks, and their 40+ fry are doing well.

But now she swims away from the male when he's near (he's obviously still horny).

Azmeaiel · Post by **Azmeaiel** » 02 Oct 2005, 05:52

I found it the other way around. My male is usually agressive and chases the female except for the short time when they are 'courting' and getting ready to breed, then the female will become agressive and boot the male from his burrow. My male looked pretty much like the few bristles fella untill he had his first nest, Then he sprouted a lovely crop weeks later. It probably has something to do with the males hormones.

As for markings the male usually displays bright, blotchy markings wheras the female displays plain colour unless stressed.