MALE OR FEMALE

Question
HOW DO I SEE IF MY CHINESE ALGAE EATER IS MALE OR FEMALE?

Answer
Hello Jessica.

Interesting question, I'd actually been wondering how to sex plecos recently. I have yet to find any one sure reliable way of telling for sure. The best I've come up with was from a petshop fish expert, and a zoologist i know back in California; between the two they seem to agree on two things. First, if trying to breed, a certain amount of current control is necessary. Second, the best way to sex them is the same as corydoras and catfish. Females tend to be... more plump, fuller, broader. Males will be sleek, thin, and slender.


This isn't always the most effective way, i know. But if you are looking to breed, perhaps checking out a biologist's dissections would help you find a more physical connection between sexes. Unfortunately, i don't have any other ideas. Sorry i couldn't be more help!