sexing a young bristlenose

[Brhino]

My baby Bristlenose (less than 2 inches long, in tank for only 3 weeks) has grown a couple protrusions in front of its eyes. They're very small, perhaps a millimeter in height. Are these the first signs of bristles that confirm it is a male, or these bumps shared by both genders of bristlenose?

Before anyone asks, pics are unlikely at this point as my wife has misplaced the battery charger on her nice digital camera, and my old outdated one isn't going to pick up the level of detail I'd need.

[Northernguy]

I've heard that some females also have bristles.Just not as pronounced as the males.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fish...ichopterus.php

[Brhino]

I think they're something different than bristles. Not sure what you'd call them exactly. In the pic in the bristlenose article you linked, you can see the two bumps closest to and in front of the eyes. That's what mine has. In pictures of adult males, you can see their structure is different than the bristles.

[dmagerl]

Not too long ago, I bought 3 BNs. They were about an inch and a half long at that time. It didnt take long to notice that 2 of them showed two little nubbies where the bristles closest to the center line of the fish eventually grew. You needed a magnifier to see them, or a really good eye with the right light. The 3rd one was female and never developed any kind of nubbies/stubble/bristles. They're now about 3.5 inches long and the males are just developing their full beards.

[Northernguy]

Here is two more links.lol I hope one of them help.


http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog...?species_id=49

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog...?species_id=48

There are a few bn breeders here.Hopefully one of them will be by soon.

Pics of yours would help.lol

[Southernfryedyankee]

Males develop a red spot on their back, so if you start to see the red spot chances are it is a male