My bichirs (Load warning)
- Thread starter uwe
- Start date
Hello,
i was asked about sexing Polypterids - especially P.delhezi ...
To explain the difference with words is very difficult.The best way is showing the difference with the help of pics ... sometimes there is only one bichir and no opportunity of comparison - in comparison the difference is better to see.
I have made pics from the anal fins of the bichir couples i'm keeping - Polypterus senegalus and Polypterus palmas polli. The specimens are all adult.
Polypterus senegalus - female anal fin
Polypterus senegalus - male anal fin
Polypterus palmas polli - female anal fin
Polypterus palmas polli - male anal fin
The male anal fin is much broader than the female and seems to be overall bigger, the female seems to be thinner. also the root of the male anal fin is somewhat longer and also thicker. The anal fin of the female P.senegalus is a bit swollen due to the time i made this pic: It was made in the time my P.senegalus pair was breeding and also egg-laying several times.
The following pic showas the unfolded anal fin of a male Polypterus palmas polli - if a bichir is forming its anal fin like one would do to drink water with the help of a hand ... that's 100% a male bichir!
Another way to know about the gender of your bichirs - especially of species that grows a bit late in the state of puberty - is to watch the bichir's behaviour.
Females are usually gentle (also these of bichirs!) and not aggressive to other bichirs. Male bichirs are unfriendly to other male bichirs and biting them - these bites are harmless and aren't done to harm the other bichir ... it seems to be territorial.
Especially P.delhezi, P.ornatipinnis and P.weeksi are species of very unfriendly males! Also Polypterus teugelsi is not Mr. Nice Guy ...
Greetings
Uwe
i was asked about sexing Polypterids - especially P.delhezi ...
To explain the difference with words is very difficult.The best way is showing the difference with the help of pics ... sometimes there is only one bichir and no opportunity of comparison - in comparison the difference is better to see.
I have made pics from the anal fins of the bichir couples i'm keeping - Polypterus senegalus and Polypterus palmas polli. The specimens are all adult.
Polypterus senegalus - female anal fin
Polypterus senegalus - male anal fin
Polypterus palmas polli - female anal fin
Polypterus palmas polli - male anal fin
The male anal fin is much broader than the female and seems to be overall bigger, the female seems to be thinner. also the root of the male anal fin is somewhat longer and also thicker. The anal fin of the female P.senegalus is a bit swollen due to the time i made this pic: It was made in the time my P.senegalus pair was breeding and also egg-laying several times.
The following pic showas the unfolded anal fin of a male Polypterus palmas polli - if a bichir is forming its anal fin like one would do to drink water with the help of a hand ... that's 100% a male bichir!
Another way to know about the gender of your bichirs - especially of species that grows a bit late in the state of puberty - is to watch the bichir's behaviour.
Females are usually gentle (also these of bichirs!) and not aggressive to other bichirs. Male bichirs are unfriendly to other male bichirs and biting them - these bites are harmless and aren't done to harm the other bichir ... it seems to be territorial.
Especially P.delhezi, P.ornatipinnis and P.weeksi are species of very unfriendly males! Also Polypterus teugelsi is not Mr. Nice Guy ...
Greetings
Uwe
Great pics!!!! really like the pics showing the difference between male and female birchirs really informative
Thanks Uwe, I'll try have a close look at my dels tonight. Your photography is amazing, do you drug your fish to make them sit still and pose for you?
Great collection! Thanks for the info on sexing and thanks again for sharing pic's of your bichir collection. Looks like they are all happy in your care!
Hello,
after posting the full body shots and a short device of sexing bichirs i will post some close-ups - or "head shots" - of my bichirs. The heads of all bichir species are also remarkable ... headshape, eyes - and the distance between them, patterns and even the teeth when visible.
Polypterus senegalus
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff123/fup/Polypterus teugelsi/teug008.jpg
Polypterus teugelsi
Polypterus palmas polli
Polypterus ornatipinnis
Polypterus weeksi
Polypterus delhezi
Polypterus endlicheri congicus
Polypterus lapradei
Greetings
Uwe
after posting the full body shots and a short device of sexing bichirs i will post some close-ups - or "head shots" - of my bichirs. The heads of all bichir species are also remarkable ... headshape, eyes - and the distance between them, patterns and even the teeth when visible.
Polypterus senegalus
Polypterus teugelsi
Polypterus palmas polli
Polypterus ornatipinnis
Polypterus weeksi
Polypterus delhezi
Polypterus endlicheri congicus
Polypterus lapradei
Greetings
Uwe
