Ancistrus sp. Rio Paraguay

I bought 4 very small wild caught specimens of Ancistrus sp. Rio Paraguay several months ago, unfortunately 2 died within a month. The 2 survivors are now about 8cms in length. As they appeared to be both males I moved them into a large display tank. On closer examination one has much longer branching bristles which is obviously male. The others bristles even though they run up the nose are much finer and nowhere near as long, could this possibly be female?? As I know in certain species females can develop shorter bristles. Anyway way heres a few piccies, see what you think. Still, lovely fish and a pleasure to watch!

Male ancistrus sp. rio paraguay




Possible female?? or another male??




[b]

Very beautiful fish!
Personally I would say they are both male...
The second one looks like his bristles are just starting to fork and I have never known any female bn's have bristles going up their snout although they can have them round their lips.
That said, there are many more people on here who know far more than me!
Good luck!

I think tilkifox is right they are great fish and if the bristles are running up the nose the it's a male. females if they have bristles, they are only on the lip.

If I had seen the pictures without reading the question then I would have said two males.

Yeah I think you are both probably right, just wishful thinking on my part. Although I have seen photos of some species of ancistrus where the females do actually have some up the nose. But from what I can gather is that the bristles don`t branch. Would have liked to have a go at breeding them.......but I think the chances of me finding a female are slim.....but you never know

Thanks guys..

lovely catfish been after some of these for years, however can not often get any at all here in the uk

think Deano as a couple at Sheffield, I been waiting for some one to import some

keep us updated......

i would say 100% they are both males

nice fish! the exact same thing happened to me, i bought 5 tiny ones originally 3 died over the course of a few weeks and im now left with 2. they have grown really quickly, one has more bristles than the other and i was hoping i had a pair but now im dont think so. is anyone breeding these? i would like some females but i got the last fish from the shop.