Hi everyone.I am interested in keeping and breeding Hemiancitrus subviridis. I can get 4-6 3inch ones...want to set them up in a 200litre tank while they are younger and move them to larger tanks as they mature...my question is the following..
1. At what size do they start maturing? Will I be able to successfully sex then at 3inches?
2. Whats the ideal ratio i should take?
Any help will be appreciated.
Many thanks.
Sarfaraaz
maturing ages/ sizes for Hemiancitrus subviridis
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MarcW
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Re: maturing ages/ sizes for Hemiancitrus subviridis
Hi, they are a lovely fish, unfortunatly I think anyone would struggle to accuratly sex them at that size. Once they are between 4-6 inches it would be much easier especially if you can see a large group together, which are in good condition.
For example even at a large size recently imported/underfed/stressed fish can appear to be the opposite sexes.
Last year I brought a Hemiancistrus (L128) at 6 inches which I was convinced was a female after comparing to 5-6 others in the shop, however a few weeks ago I noticed that it was growing quite large odentodes on its pectoral fins!
If I were buying them I would try to get some pictures maybe someone more experienced than me on this forum may be able to have a go at sexing them.
I would suggest getting a large group if you are trying to breed but that will require a larger tank than you have. In a larger tank they will probably mature quicker and be better conditioned giving you a better chance of sexing them. Go for more females than males, I would guess 2 males to 4 females may be a good starting point.
EDIT: If it's not possible to sex them, a good starting point would be to get some of the largest fish and some of the smallest. Providing they came from the same source this should give you a mix of sexes. However at that size expect to wait 2-3 years for them to mature before you start to think about breeding.
Hope this helps.
For example even at a large size recently imported/underfed/stressed fish can appear to be the opposite sexes.
Last year I brought a Hemiancistrus (L128) at 6 inches which I was convinced was a female after comparing to 5-6 others in the shop, however a few weeks ago I noticed that it was growing quite large odentodes on its pectoral fins!
If I were buying them I would try to get some pictures maybe someone more experienced than me on this forum may be able to have a go at sexing them.
I would suggest getting a large group if you are trying to breed but that will require a larger tank than you have. In a larger tank they will probably mature quicker and be better conditioned giving you a better chance of sexing them. Go for more females than males, I would guess 2 males to 4 females may be a good starting point.
EDIT: If it's not possible to sex them, a good starting point would be to get some of the largest fish and some of the smallest. Providing they came from the same source this should give you a mix of sexes. However at that size expect to wait 2-3 years for them to mature before you start to think about breeding.
Hope this helps.