Sexing L046… and should I add another male?

[richardi]

Hi

I finally got my hands on a group of L046’s…. The group consists of 5 individuals, one of them is a stub nose. The group has not lived together in the past.

I would really like your help with the following questions:

1. what do you think the sexes are? I do believe that the biggest one and the little stub nose are males (the two individuals to the left). Could the other three be females? (The ones to the right in the picture). It might be of interest that none of the supposed females are guarding caves.

2. My LFS now got a single semi-adult male that I am thinking of adding to the group. Might there be any negative aspects of adding another male? I guess it depends on if the three I think are females actually are females…. However, I have heard of breeders that recommend keeping 2-3 males per every female…



thanks!
Richard /Sweden

 

[L-ko]

Hi Richard,

this is always a problem in photos. You don't see everything and perspective can be deceiving.
I think - from left to right:
male
male
uncertain, the waist is thick, but the head also seems quite broad
uncertain, the waist is thick, but the head also seems quite broad
female

It might be better if you read this and then look at the plecos:
To distinguish the sexes of small hypostominae loricariids

Greetings
Elko

 

[richardi]

Thanks for the link!
Hmmm, yes its truly difficult to tell for those three to the right… but let’s say it’s only 1-2 females in the group…. Would adding another male potentially cause any problems?
/// Richard

 

[L-ko]

Hi,
Another male would not be a problem, but probably not an advantage either. I would rather leave the group or add another female.
Greetings
Elko

 

[richardi]

Hmmmm

okay….
couldn’t let this go

took the three possible females out to a separate tank in order to take som photos and take a closer look.

from left to right in the first photo (first post).
Male
Male
Male
Male
Uncertain

The one to the right in the first photo differs from the others in head shape, body shape and odontodes… This is the one you considered to be a female. Please look at the new pictures (all showing the one to the right). Do you still consider this one to be a possible female?