interopercular odontodes

[blueblue]

We all know that for male zebra pleco, there are usually a lot of
well-grown interopercular odontodes... while i wonder for
a zebra pleco, with everything else looks like a female except
it has the interopercular odontodes as well-developed
and long as the alpha male zebra (ie., very hairy), is it possible
to be a female? Have some fellows here seen this form of
super-hairy female zebra? Please share.

[Plastic Mac]

I don't have any super hairy females....but by my undestanding this is perfectly possible. Which is one of the reasons sexing them is so difficult.

[blueblue]

I don't have any super hairy females....but by my undestanding this is perfectly possible. Which is one of the reasons sexing them is so difficult.

Thanks and i see...
so, in your opinion, among all the possible features of male zebra,
which one is the most crucial for differentiating male/female?

[McEve]

There is a hairy lady to see here: http://www.zebrapleco.com/article2.php

In my opinion A mature male, ready to spawn, then his headshape is a dead giveaway

Otherwise it is a combination of several factors in my opinion

[blueblue]

Thanks McEve. In other words, do you mean the headshape is more critical than the hair for mature and ready to spawn male?

There is

a hairy lady to see here: http://www.zebrapleco.com/article2.php

In my opinion A mature male, ready to spawn, then his headshape is a dead giveaway

Otherwise it is a combination of several factors in my opinion

[McEve]

I mean a combination of features give you an idea of what gender the fish is. But, a fully grown ready to spawn male is impossible to be mistaken for a lady

[blueblue]

I mean a combination of features give you an idea of what gender the fish is. But, a fully grown ready to spawn male is impossible to be mistaken for a lady

Get it and thanks McEve