Sexing L-046 Hypancistrus Zebra Plecostomus

[plec0]

Hello friends.. I have 5 Zebras Id liked sexed for me if possible please before I decide to purchase them ., Thanks. All are over the 2.70 inch mark TL. So all are mature adults.

[drpleco]

If these are adult fish from a reputable seller, they should be able to sex them for you or at least try. If they can't/won't, then you need to consider a few things:
If they're wild:
1. Wild fish have male-heavy ratios because of how they're captured in the field (in caves)
2. Wild females are worth big $$
3. Someone with a lot of experience handling these will know the difference

If they're captive bred:
1. The breeder should definitely be familiar with sexing zebras and should have a good idea what s/he has
2. F1 females are still worth good $$


So, either way if the seller won't tell you what the sex ratio is, or even guess, that probably means that it's a male-heavy or all-male group they're selling. Just something to consider. That said, the bottom left fish in the last pic might be a girl. I have much less experience with these than other hypans, however.

What else do you know about these fish?

[Janne]

2 males and 3 females.

Janne

[Haavard Stoere]

A lovely group. They seem to be in much better condition than the ones I started with some years ago.

[plec0]

ok im not buying all 5 of these.. can u point out the 3 females for me please? I have pick of the 4 I want and the other 1 the owner is keeping, the fish are f1's. the current owner who has fish is a lady who claims her sexing skills is not perfect and she wants to gurantee me a male and 3 females. and believe me im paying very well for 3 mature lovely lil ladies

[drpleco]

It's always good to have a backup male and with the economy being what it is...what better place to invest your money than in zebra plecos?

Worst-case, just have the seller send the 4 least spikey fish. But if it were me (and I wish it were), I'd definitely get both males. You never know which one will be the better breeder, or will be willing to breed at all.

[Bas Pels]

It's always good to have a backup male and with the economy being what it is...what better place to invest your money than in zebra pl*cos?

sssst - don't tell too much people

[plec0]

Ive already got another colony of zebra, Im just trying to create a 2nd colony. I have an extra male as well. and my snubnose are living happy life by themselves in a 20 gallon full of cherry shrimp . my first colony has 2 male 3 females.

[pramirez]

Hi pleco0.



Good luck with them, they look great.