Some help please.

Plastic Mac · Post by **Plastic Mac** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:14 pm

Any idea what this one is? It looks to me like a male but just in case..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hypancistrus-zebr ... dZViewItem

McEve · Post by **McEve** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 9:27 pm

That looks like a lady to me....? I'm not 100% though, as some closeups would help

Maybe you found one?

Lets hear what the others have to say before rushing off and getting it though

Crossing my fingers for you!

Plastic Mac · Post by **Plastic Mac** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 12:42 pm

I almost fell off my chair when i read the word 'female'

...fingers crossed that it's the general opinion of everyone!

Thanks McEve

nesolb · Post by **nesolb** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 2:35 pm

Does look like a female but then again I'm as bad as you plastic at sexing them!!!

McEve · Post by **McEve** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 3:17 pm

*ping* Rob! He's good at looking at the pectoral fins angle, much better than me

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 9:42 pm

It's not easy to tell from the picture but it looks pretty much like a female to me. Would need a side profile shot and an overhead one to be more certain.

Plastic Mac · Post by **Plastic Mac** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:31 pm

OK I've been in touch with the seller and he's sent me another picture...not really the best angle but pretty clear...hopefully it'll be good enough for a definite sexing.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a105/ ... lec001.jpg

McEve · Post by **McEve** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:37 pm

If you look at the article I wrote here: http://www.zebrapleco.com/article2.php , You'll see that females can have pretty long cheek odontodes. The fish on your picture does too. I still think this is a young male now... I'm sorry....

This is not a precise sicense - sexing Zebras LOL I'll ask Rob his opinion...

Plastic Mac · Post by **Plastic Mac** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:41 pm

Thanks McEve,

I'm remaining hopeful that I have a female in my group already....but I would like to aquire one that was confirmed by everyone on here to be a definite female. I'd already read the article you wrote and very informative it was too(thanks)...part of my problem is I'm one of those people who needs a real control subject to work from. I'm always left doubting myself otherwise. If I had one definite female I could see and compare to others with it would make me that much more confident in my sexing descisions of other future zebras. I guess it's something that just comes with time and practice especially when the differences are so small.

Perhaps we should post a picture of a definite sexed zebra we own for other to try and sex...then after a week the owner can tell us what it is....just for practising and learning purposes.

Thanks for all the help.

Plastic Mac

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:45 pm

Hi genreal shape of a female, but the odontodal growth on the gill plates is more male like.

That aside....I'd say a hairy lady!

rob

McEve · Post by **McEve** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:59 pm

Plastic Mac wrote: I'm always left doubting myself otherwise. If I had one definite female I could see and compare to others with it would make me that much more confident in my sexing descisions of other future zebras. I guess it's something that just comes with time and practice especially when the differences are so small.

ohh.. but that's just the problem here, there doesn't seem to be any definate rules! I'ts a combination of things, and instict/gutfeeling/guessing too. The only way to 100% sex a Zebra is to see them spawn. Horrible isn't it

I see Rob has let you know what he thinks, when I first saw the fish I though "oh - lady!" then you start examine the fish closer and thing hmmm... that's not right... and that doesn't fit.....

I would have bought the fish in question

For what it's worth.

Plastic Mac · Post by **Plastic Mac** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:30 pm

Thanks Rob....nothing wrong with a hairy lady.

McEve, your right and I guess part of my problem in sexing them has been assuming that you, Barbie, Rob, Adam etc are always right because your all much more knowledge about zebra's. Therefore it's some talent or the mastering of something that I am as yet still lacking or haven't learnt but I suppose you're all still making a guess or best assumption yourselves. Your right also in it's only really proven when spawning takes place. I'm intending to try and induce spawning later on this month and hopefully flush out a definite female, we'll see

I'll keep and eye on the hairy lady and let you know if I win the bid. Thanks.

Dukerider

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:05 pm

HI Plastic

McEve's right. There is often no definate science to this unfortunately. I have been proven wrong on many occasions, including with my own "hairy lady" who is one of my best spawners.

good luck

rob

McEve · Post by **McEve** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:37 pm

Plastic Mac wrote: but I suppose you're all still making a guess or best assumption yourselves.

Darn it - busted

I can only speak for myself, but for me there's always a qualified guessing involved. And I find it much easier with other peoples fish than my own

Good luck - crossing my fingers it's a female! There's a good chanse it is