L226 possible pair confirmation (sexing)

[Redrain]

This really nice "pair" of L226's (Panaqolus Changae) is offered at my local store. The guy says they might be a pair but can't guarantee, as they are wild imports. I'm assuming the first one is a male because of the "hair" on body especially on the tail, also he's quite a bit larger than the other.

Dorsal of "male" (guy is huge!)



Ventral of "male"




This is the presumed female, "she" is a lot smaller and lacks a lot of the "hair". Also the odontodes seem way smaller.
Dorsal of "female"





Dorsal (angled) of "female"


Side of "female"


Ventral of "female"


They are the only ones offered so I can't "buy a group and let them pair up". I'm kinda confident with my sexing at least with the male. I'm more interested in the "female" but both are incredible fish, better than the ones I have at least.

Can't wait to hear your guys' input!
Thanks

[bekateen]

If the fish are about the same size, then based on the odontodes on one fish and the lack on the other, I'd agree male and female.

Cheers, Eric

[Redrain]

If the fish are about the same size, then based on the odontodes on one fish and the lack on the other, I'd agree male and female.

Cheers, Eric

Thanks Eric! I think I'm gonna go grab them.

BTW what about the other characteristics like head/body shape, fin shape and vents? Are they useful at all when sexing or are the odontodes the limiting factor? ie if the odontodes are present the others can be ignored? I hope this makes sense I'm not very fluent in English

[bekateen]

BTW what about the other characteristics like head/body shape, fin shape and vents? Are they useful at all when sexing or are the odontodes the limiting factor? ie if the odontodes are present the others can be ignored? I hope this makes sense I'm not very fluent in English

You can use the shape of the genital papilla, but I'm not very good at telling the female (U shaped) from the male (V shaped).

However, if this species is like other Panaqolus I've kept, the females also develop a very obvious mound around the genital papilla. You can see this in a photo on the Panaqolus maccus CLOG page. (look inside the red circles in this photo)



Finally, head shape and body girth may be reliable, but I generally don't trust those. The presence of odontodes on the body and pectoral spines are a very reliable sign in males and the mound under the genital papilla on females is too.

Cheers, Eric

[Redrain]

BTW what about the other characteristics like head/body shape, fin shape and vents? Are they useful at all when sexing or are the odontodes the limiting factor? ie if the odontodes are present the others can be ignored? I hope this makes sense I'm not very fluent in English

You can use the shape of the genital papilla, but I'm not very good at telling the female (U shaped) from the male (V shaped).

However, if this species is like other Panaqolus I've kept, the females also develop a very obvious mound around the genital papilla. You can see this in a photo on the Panaqolus maccus CLOG page. (look inside the red circles in this photo)



Finally, head shape and body girth may be reliable, but I generally don't trust those. The presence of odontodes on the body and pectoral spines are a very reliable sign in males and the mound under the genital papilla on females is too.

Cheers, Eric

Thanks again!