Sexing for young bristlenose

[Freddie]

Hi, I was at my lfs today 2 build up my school of tiger barbs & I saw that they were selling albino bristlenose for $8 each. It was such a steal, I couldnt resist! But im curious, because there were 2 left, a long slender 1, & a short stocky 1. I got the stocky 1. So does this mean that hes a male, or could this just be random chance? Any help would b greatly appreciated! Thnx!

 

[bud29]

From all I know, the only way to sex a bristlenose pleco is to wait until the fish is old enough to possibly develop bristles. Bristles means male, no bristles means female. IME they start to develop bristles (if they are going to) when they get to be 2-3 inches.

 

[Freddie]

From all I know, the only way to sex a bristlenose pleco is to wait until the fish is old enough to possibly develop bristles. Bristles means male, no bristles means female. IME they start to develop bristles (if they are going to) when they get to be 2-3 inches.

Thats what ive been reading. But the different body shapes have me confused :/

 

[bud29]

That is odd that they had such different body shapes but I think you will just have to wait and see.....

 

[Freddie]

Ill do that it doesnt really matter 2 me im mostly just wandering about the body shape

 

[Mumma.of.two]

The females are usually slightly shorter and stocky compared to a male around the same age. Though that's not a 100% fool proof way of telling.

 

[Freddie]

Thnx the 2 there were the same age & he/she was noticably stockier & shorter than the other I noticed