Help sexing bichir

[BlacksmithFishkeeper]

So I just bought what I believe to be a lapradei that was a trade-in at the fish store. To me it looks like a male but I've heard that males are pretty rare. Can anyone help me sex it?

Ps, it is missing it's pelvic fins entirely, not sure how or why. Could that be a birth defect or something? It swims really well considering, and you can see it's tail muscles are extra large to account for its missing fins. Seems overall healthy

 

[litigator666]

Male. Thick and more prominent. Female will be slim/pointed.

It looks healthy.

 

[tlindsey]

Male. Thick and more prominent. Female will be slim/pointed.

It looks healthy.

+1

 

[tlindsey]

Could that be a birth defect or something? It swims really well considering

Definitely a possibility.

 

[BlacksmithFishkeeper]

Male. Thick and more prominent. Female will be slim/pointed.

It looks healthy.

UPDATE:
My endlicheri is now pursuing the lapradei and cupping it's anal fin, and exhibiting breeding behavior.

Based on behavior, to me it seems the endli is a male and the lap in a female. Is that possible?

Or could they both be males and the endli is asserting dominance?

It seems like the lap enjoys this which to me indicates it is female

But perhaps the lap is male and my endli is a female with a lot of libido....?

 

[tlindsey]

UPDATE:
My endlicheri is now pursuing the lapradei and cupping it's anal fin, and exhibiting breeding behavior.

Based on behavior, to me it seems the endli is a male and the lap in a female. Is that possible?

Or could they both be males and the endli is asserting dominance?

It seems like the lap enjoys this which to me indicates it is female

But perhaps the lap is male and my endli is a female with a lot of libido....?
View attachment 1510878View attachment 1510879View attachment 1510880

Definitely spawning behavior from the male If the female Endlicheri is gravid look for black tiny eggs on thesubstrate plants even on the glass. They will appear wherever the male scattered them.

 

[tlindsey]

Definitely spawning behavior from the male If the female Endlicheri is gravid look for black tiny eggs on thesubstrate plants even on the glass. They will appear wherever the male scattered them.

Oh wait lol the lapradei is a male also correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[BlacksmithFishkeeper]

Oh wait lol the lapradei is a male also correct me if I'm wrong.

It looks like a male but to me it's acting like a female. That's why I'm confused

 

[Hao]

Oh wait lol the lapradei is a male also correct me if I'm wrong.

Yeah both fish are male.

 

[litigator666]

Ive seen this cupping behaviour even if the bichir is by itself in a tank full of mature bichirs. Do they swim together - like mating - shaking and sudden burst/darting off?

I have a few ornates and endli and most male flex their anal fins even if not mating.