Confused Pleco

Over the past few weeks ive notice that with increasing frequency my Sailfin pleco L083 (Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps) has been trapping my female bristlenose in a cocanut shell in my community tank. I have a male bristlenose who doesnt seem in the slightest bit interested in the male (in fact i cant recall them even being in the same part of the tank together). I've heard of this before as mating behavior but only usually with the same type of Pleco. The female doesnt seem extra rounded like she is carrying eggs and never seems stressed or hassled by the attention of my sailfin.

Anyone heard of cross-breeding behaviour like this? I guess if they tried to breed they are not similar enough to be able to be succesfull?

I have been unable to find any reliable definitions of how to sex the Sailfin to confirm my suspisions that he could be male.

Wow !! That is bizarre behavor..let us know if they take it further...Can't see it but , ya never know.

Interesting!!

I'm at a loss to explain this, few ideas but they are longshots at best. My best idea is that your right, hes confused.

yep maybe confused but i would be on the alert as he /she could kill your BN if your not carefull, i dont think the female will show any interest and this is were the problems begin as the potential male could get frustrated and strike hard, not only this your female will not be getting the meals she requires..personally if it was me i would either remove the gibby or the female BN...just my opinion....
keeps us updated on this one daz.......

I had a similar problem with my male brown BN, he keeps trying to get the sailfin female (well I think my albino sail fin is female lol)...he waits for her to try to go in a cave or shell then blocks her exit... lol...

happened for a few weeks and they had a tussel and she won each time, I separated them for a few weeks and added my other male brown to the same tank.....

I think both male brown's are brothers somewhat as they had the same parents.

they fight with each other playfully then go swim into seaprate shells but since \I have put them together it as
ceased the problems with my female gibbi... though was strange behaviour at the time..

the sailfin is now about one inch longer than the brown male's now...

lj

Im guessing they will soon change there mind in another 6 months lee..

Curby wrote:

Im guessing they will soon change there mind in another 6 months lee..

probably very true since the sail fin might be a foot lol and in alot bigger tank... pmsl...

and by then should have my township of peppers and L333, then all I need is some red/black or paraguay

ohh and may be some glo light danios ofcourse.... lol

Does anyone know how i can sex my Gibbicep? I have read many descriptions but they tend to be based on an examination of the reproductive organs (see i managed not be childish and mention the word willy) DOH! I havent been able to see any pictures which make it clear, and many are descriptions of the comparisons but only having one fish that makes it tricky. Perhaps i'll play the mrs take that CD and see if (he?) covers his ears? Either that or wheel the TV into the dinning room put on match of the day and see if (he?) comes up to the front of the tank?

I havent a clue mate maybe brengun is the best person to ask....

Darren Balch wrote:

Perhaps i'll play the mrs take that CD and see if (he?) covers his ears? Either that or wheel the TV into the dinning room put on match of the day and see if (he?) comes up to the front of the tank?

Might go to the back of the tank if you put the wrong team on though.

See if you can get a photo of the fish in question from above and below and post them up. Not sure if any of us will know 100% but we can have a shot. It comes down to the naughty bits as well as body shape. I used to be ok at sexing Hypan plecos tho i havent done it in awhile.