Hoplos, How Big/old Till You Can Tell The Sex?

[simonas]

I bought 5 of these little fellas a couple of weeks ago. They are only about 1.5 inches long but very active and eating plenty. If memory serves me right they grow pretty quickly

About 20 yrs ago an lfs had a full grown pair in a display tank and they were stunning. That image has stayed with me for years and I;d like to get a pair out of the 5

Any idea how long it takes or what kind of size it is till they starting being sexally different in appearance?

Simon

 

[kniesh]

Best decision you've ever made mate. I really love these fish, only got 1 at the moment but looking to get another 6 or so in time. As I remember I think female may be plumper but the best way to tell is once tyhey are sexually mature, the male's underneath becomes a green and purple colour when they want to mate.

I can't emphasise how jealous I am of you now, wish I had the room at the minute for more, just got one around 6" and really fat. Probably the most playful fish I have come across in a group, along with Elephant Nose'

 

[simonas]

ha ha cheers mate

Its because I kept them many moon ago and loved them. These 5 are great and don;t half look busy with that crazy style they have of hoovering food up

Fingers crossed I get a pair because by that time I should have a new house with more tanks for breeding etc!!

 

[kizno1]

On planetcatfish it says they hit sexual maturity at 18-24months old. Sexing the males have a thicker first pectoral fin. If it was me i would keep all 5 they look alot better in big groups and that way your more likely of getting them to spawn and in a 150G its not like you dont have the room for all 5.

 

[kniesh]

Wouldn't be any reason to get rid of any of yours even if 2 do breed Simon. Wouldn't imagine there would be any aggression, plus more chance of them continuing to breed with 5 rather than 2.