Sexing irrubesco, easy or not?
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:57 am
Hello Puffer Forum
I'm looking for help sexing Carinotetraodon irrubesco.
I'm newly registered, though I've read here before. Last year I bought one C. irrubesco and soon wanted more. I determined that my one Red tail must be male, as it had a red tail and a clear bellystripe. Last week, I heard through the grapevine that a nearby pet store had some C. irrubesco in stock. I went to get some females of this -- supposedly easily sexed -- species.
Now, imagine my headache when all nine fish had red tails, but only some had clear bellystripes. I estimate they were all at least 3cm in length. Two bigger ones looked to be obviously male, with red bellystripes and solid cream and dark colour patches. The rest seemed to be showing stress(?) colouration with no clear markings on the back and sides. In the end, I bought four fish with either no or very little red on the belly.
So, basically, what's the skinny on this lovable fish?
1) Do both sexes have red tails? I know many say no, but I found one post on here that said otherwise. (I'll find it again and link it, if needed) It's certainly possible that all nine fish in the store were male, but I hope not.
2) What about the red bellystripe? And the belly in general? I'm starting to question whether my first red tail is male, since it doesn't show the clear colour patches of the males in the store, nor does its belly seem as clear white. Though I should mention that I'm still fattening up that one, as it was in bad condition when I bought it and it's taken a while to see progress.
I know I should post pictures, but I don't get home until after dark at the moment, and I'm considering going back and getting one of those big males before they're gone.
Confuzzledly, Kalaila (who'll probably have to get another puffer tank either way)
I'm looking for help sexing Carinotetraodon irrubesco.
I'm newly registered, though I've read here before. Last year I bought one C. irrubesco and soon wanted more. I determined that my one Red tail must be male, as it had a red tail and a clear bellystripe. Last week, I heard through the grapevine that a nearby pet store had some C. irrubesco in stock. I went to get some females of this -- supposedly easily sexed -- species.
Now, imagine my headache when all nine fish had red tails, but only some had clear bellystripes. I estimate they were all at least 3cm in length. Two bigger ones looked to be obviously male, with red bellystripes and solid cream and dark colour patches. The rest seemed to be showing stress(?) colouration with no clear markings on the back and sides. In the end, I bought four fish with either no or very little red on the belly.
So, basically, what's the skinny on this lovable fish?
1) Do both sexes have red tails? I know many say no, but I found one post on here that said otherwise. (I'll find it again and link it, if needed) It's certainly possible that all nine fish in the store were male, but I hope not.
2) What about the red bellystripe? And the belly in general? I'm starting to question whether my first red tail is male, since it doesn't show the clear colour patches of the males in the store, nor does its belly seem as clear white. Though I should mention that I'm still fattening up that one, as it was in bad condition when I bought it and it's taken a while to see progress.
I know I should post pictures, but I don't get home until after dark at the moment, and I'm considering going back and getting one of those big males before they're gone.
Confuzzledly, Kalaila (who'll probably have to get another puffer tank either way)
I just found it odd that they'd all be male, especially with some not having the red stripes, while others were textbook male. But I took another look at my new ones this evening and won't buy more just yet. I may well have five males, but I'm pretty sure I can find homes for some of them, if need be.