Help in sexing Hypancistrus zebras (L046)

**weng0202** · 29th May 2010, 20:47

I've got a few pieces of zebras (L46) but I cannot determine the gender for the smaller ones. The bigger ones are quite obviously males. Please help with the 2 below:

1) First:

2) Second:

Any gurus?

**marle** · 29th May 2010, 22:12

Nice size for your fishes! I am extremely new to plecos thus take my guess lightly. First one looks more inclined to a male, 2nd one really unsure.

**riltz** · 30th May 2010, 23:48

i think the first one look like female! but i'm not a pro either, got to wait for the gurus to arrive.

**barmby** · 31st May 2010, 10:49

hi weng0202
I hope this is going to help:-

hi moderator, the picture being with me since 2004. I cannot recall whose picture this belongs' to. but you can take it down if you deem fit.

**johannes** · 31st May 2010, 11:09

first one looks like a female,

second one, picture is not taken top view so a bit hard to see but most probably a female due to short cheek odontodes, if got top view picture would be easier.

**soltari007** · 31st May 2010, 13:26

I think the second piece might be male, first piece should be female

**celticfish** · 1st Jun 2010, 19:56

I estimate their size to be about 2.75".
If that's true then both should be females.
The picture angle for the second fish is less than ideal...

**weng0202** · 1st Jun 2010, 20:00

Thanks for all the help! The size is around 7cm for both, slightly smaller than the males (I think they looked like males) which are about 2cm bigger. Will continue with the twice weekly water change.

Any advice on how to stimulate them to breed?

**genes** · 1st Jun 2010, 22:39

First one is female for me. Not all females will have a short snout. My female that bred looks like yours infact.

How to incite them to breed? When you least bother about them, they will breed. But provided you provide good water, good food, and most importantly, celticfish's pleco caves.