8/25/2023 0 Comments Zebra pleco size![]() Source: < Interoperculare odontes L046Ībove: The interopercular odontes and the spikes on the first pectoral ray of a mature male.Īnother indication of sexual dimorphism mentioned quite often is the shape of the pectoral fins. ![]() Left: Photo of sexually mature female (left) and male (right) Hypancistrus zebra as seen from above for sexual identification. Some very helpful photos for identification can be found Difference male and female L046 – left female – Right male Again, the first pectoral fin ray of sexually mature males is thicker than this of the females and usually adorned with spikes. Sexually mature males have pronounced interopercular odontes (spikes at each side of the head) similar spikes, though not as long and thick, can occasionally be observed on females who are referred to as “hairy ladies”. Similarly, if the underbelly is examined, males have a V shape at the end of the genital area while females a U shape. If looked from above the wider heads of the males are clearly noticeable. There are certain characteristics that are good indicators towards correct sexing. Sexing the fish may be tricky if they are not yet sexually mature. ![]() I get more females not just to ensure there is competition, reproductive ability and choice females may get locked in a cave and die in the process of reproduction. Finally, if something happens to one of the males there are still another two in the colony to carry on. Thirdly, it minimizes the chances of ending up with one male who cannot or does not want to spawn. Firstly, it creates a kind of “competition” between them – thus giving the males the incentive to spawn and the females a dominant male to be attracted to. In general I would prefer more than two males for a number of reasons. My preferred colony composition, if I have a choice, is 3 males with 5-6 females, though on occasions I had spawns from colonies with a different composition (like the Hypancistrus zebras, as it happens). Clearly, the more males / females a colony has the more chances there are for a spawn, provided that there is adequate space and spawning sites for all. My own experience with plecos is that numbers are not of crucial importance. It is generally accepted that one should go for less males than females, either one male with two females or 2 males with 5 females. Various views have been discussed over the years as to what constitutes a good breeding colony. If you wish to breed the fish, the obvious place to start is the composition of the colony. See also Part 1: Keeping Hypancistrus zebra See also Part 3: Raising the Fry Introduction
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