How is a pleco sexed?

[Cookie*]

As the thread title suggests, I'm curious as how to sex my plecos.

 

[WyldFya]

Depends on what species. Do you know what species you have, or have a pic?

 

[Cookie*]

6" L91 Three Beacon pleco, and a Clown pleco.

 

[Cookie*]

Here's the Clown. The L91 is harder to get pics of.

 

[Cookie*]

Unfortunately, this is the only pic I have of the L91 (gotta work on that). I doubt it's clear enough or close enough to tell, unless it's that obvious. Nvm, it goes in close if you click the picture.

 

[Cookie*]

Hey WyldFya, when is the section for identifying all the plecos gonna be done with construction too? Just curious to see the section.

 

[viewofthebay]

I'm not an expert but I believe, based on what I read on Planetcatfish and other sites, that the males have more thorns on the pectoral fins. It seems to be true with mines. There is a noticeable difference between the males and females on more mature ones.

 

[vaine111]

I'm not an expert but I believe, based on what I read on Planetcatfish and other sites, that the males have more thorns on the pectoral fins. It seems to be true with mines. There is a noticeable difference between the males and females on more mature ones.

Planetcatfish.com usually has some real good pics of female and male specimens.

 

[bcarlos]

L091 can be sexed by looking at the head shape (easiest viewed from above). Males have a much wider, longer head and, as with many species, have odontodes (spiky protrusions) on cheeks and pectoral fins. Odontodes vary by fish, and occasionally an adult female will have a few as well, so this is not fool-proof.

Nice looking L091 though, great dark base colouration.

 

[WyldFya]

Can't tell sex from the picture.