Sailfin Pleco Male Or Female?

[Joemuz]

Is there any way in which you can tell the difference between male and female sailfin plecos as it has been bugging me for the last few days weather my fairly new sailfin pleco is a he or a she?
Thanks a lot Joemuz

 

[Darkstar]

As quoted from Planetcatfish:

Comparison of the genital papilla in mature fish shows the differences in the sexes to the trained eye. In males this is a small yet thick stump which noticeably protrudes from the fish's undercarriage. In females it is less obvious and is recessed or lies flat with the body.

 

[Joemuz]

Comparison of the genital papilla in mature fish shows the differences in the sexes to the trained eye. In males this is a small yet thick stump which noticeably protrudes from the fish's undercarriage. In females it is less obvious and is recessed or lies flat with the body.
[/quote]

So can you only tell this when the fish are fully grown?

 

[Darkstar]

I doubt they would need to be full grown but certainly a decent size. How big is yours now?

 

[Joemuz]

Mine is about 5-6 inches at the moment so he's only still young. (only had him a week)
Thanks a lot Joemuz

 

[Darkstar]

I'd estimate about 12" would be the minumum size that you could probably start to sex one.

 

[KathyM]

Yep they're notoriously difficult to sex until properly mature. When you think a gibby's full size is nearly 2ft,there's a way to go before you'll be able to tell, if at all.