Male or female? Panaque maccus PHOTOS.

Deb · Post by **Deb** » 05 Jun 2007, 02:35

Here are some recent photos of a P. maccus that I've had for more than two years.
I'd like to know for sure if it is a male or female fish.

This is the full ventral view:

And this is a straight crop of the area just before the anal fin:

Thanks for any help.

Deborah

Bristle nose · Post by **Bristle nose** » 05 Jun 2007, 12:09

Female.

Deb · Post by **Deb** » 06 Jun 2007, 14:03

Thanks, I thought so, too, after seeing the external genitalia, and reading a description of what it should look like.

What made me hesitate, is that this fish has cheek spines, and one spine in particular is very evident and kind of like a hook.
You can see the bundle here:

I don't think the hooked one is evident, which is why I described it.

The fish also has denticles on the pectoral fins:

Is it typical for females to have these characteristics?

The fish is over two years old and 7 cm long (2.75").
Any further comments would be appreciated.

Deborah

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 06 Jun 2007, 14:07

Yes, females have light odontal growth when mature and in good condition. The male is MUCH more hairy.

Check out this boy:

This also gives me the oppurtinity to say that I saw the above boy and one of the females trying to get into the same hollowed out piece of wood yesterday. No sign of eggs this morning tho'.

--
Mats

Deb · Post by **Deb** » 06 Jun 2007, 14:17

Thanks, Mats. That was quick.
I see what you mean; my fish does not have that "hairy" look down the back. At two years old and more than half of the expected adult length, I'd expect to see some by now. Well, this is exciting! I think I'll start looking for a male, now.

I hope you get some eggs.

Deborah

Post by **Shane** » 06 Jun 2007, 14:48

Deb,
Got you PM and the previous posters are correct that it is a female. There is really no mistaking a mature male.
-Shane

Bristle nose · Post by **Bristle nose** » 09 Jun 2007, 00:22

deb wrote:At two years old and more than half of the expected adult length

I wouldn't expect your L104 to get much bigger than what it is now.

Deb · Post by **Deb** » 09 Jun 2007, 16:22

No problem, I like small fish, but why do you say that?
I expected it to get to just under 4", or about 10 cm.

Bristle nose · Post by **Bristle nose** » 10 Jun 2007, 08:36

Well the biggest i have ever heard of is 8cm, and the biggest that i have seen is 7cm.

Deb · Post by **Deb** » 11 Jun 2007, 01:36

Interesting. I'll measure her again in a year and post the result here.
Thanks.

Bristle nose · Post by **Bristle nose** » 11 Jun 2007, 01:47

I have a 3 year old L104 that is 6.5cm, and another that is alot younger, but is 7cm. So it probably doesn't take that long for them to reach full size.

Deb · Post by **Deb** » 11 Jun 2007, 14:47

Thanks, BN, I see what you're saying. Nevertheless, it won't hurt to measure in a year. I can do this very accurately, when the fish is stretched out on the glass. I am within 2 mm of the actual size.

Male or female? Panaque maccus PHOTOS.

Male or female? Panaque maccus PHOTOS.

max size?