Sexing Peppermint Bristlenose

[samir]

Could one of you catfish fanatics please give me some advice on telling the males from the females, also some feeding tips would be highly appreciated. I've been feeding them some Tetra stuff

[Kingkat]

Samir, When they are mature the males have 'whiskers' like normal male bristlenose. A mature female may have short 'whiskers'. Zuchini is a must, just stab in onto a fork. Also good quality algae disks such as Hikari. If you are conditioning them to spawn you can use bloodworm and brine shrimp. HTH.
Cheers,
David.

[samir]

thanks David. Could anybody please post a picture of male and female if possible or a link perhaps ?

[Kingkat]

Samir, Pm me your email addy.

[fish_r]

HTH Samir
http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles/freshwater/catfish/bristlenose.html

[samir]

thanks guys, you catfish people seem much nicer than the discus keepers :P

[mcloughlin2]

Samir,

Peppermints can be very hard to sex as females, can sometimes develop alot of bristles and some males are very late bloomers.

Here are some of the best links on these guys on the net IMO.

Sexing:

http://www.perthcichlid.com/pcs/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2360

Breeding:

http://www.perthcichlid.com/pcs/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2095

http://www.perthcichlid.com/pcs/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2209

Goodluck. :)

[Kingkat]

Samir, You have mail. mcloughlin, I can't seem to open the links?
Cheers.

[Kingkat]

Must have been a problem at my end as I can open the links now. That's a good example of a female in the first pic.

[Discus Dan]

What sort of money should I expect to pay for a peppermint bristlenose?

[mcloughlin2]

3-5cm - $15

5-7cm - $25

Breeding Pair - $300

Breeding trio - $500

Adult Male - $100 +

Adult Female - What ever the seller asks (Really sold without a male).

HTH

Sam

[/b]

[Namn8r]

Hey guys, at what size do male peppermints become sexually mature?

[DiscusEden]

Sorry, Namn8r, not sure, but I'd guess above 7cm, when they have whiskers?

mcloughlin2, they have to be NSW prices. I've seen them at a LFS in Adelaide for $85 for 2-3 cm, $140 for 4-5cm. Not particularly good specimins. Which is one of the reasons I got mine shipped from NSW. Appreciate what you've got over there! Spoiled rotten you lot are! Lucky sods.

[mcloughlin2]

Sorry i should have mention those are prices if bought off breeders, not from a LFS.

LFS ask whatever they want really so i couldnt give you a price there.

Peppermint bristlenose reach sexual maturity @ 1 1/2 - 2 years of age.

Sorry for hijacking your thread DE !

[Discus Dan]

My Peppermint Bristlenose cost me $35.00 from a LFS and it was about the 2-3cm mark. I'm currently in the market for another one and have been quoted about the same from another LFS. Seem to be on the money then.

[samir]

Sorry for hijacking your thread DE !
its my thread feel free to hijack, any info is good info. :lol: lol
still can't sex them :? probably too young :? or probably I'm too dumb

[DiscusEden]

Yeah, wasn't mine, was his. So feel free!

I'd guess young Samir, you're not striking me as dumb.

My little (they were little) carnivore peps are growing at a great rate, but just starting to get whiskers on the tips of their noses. I thought the females could get a little facial hair there too, but when they mature, there's no missing the fur-face whiskers on the males. Give them time. And apparently beefheart to the little theives. Algae eaters my butt.

[Discus Dan]

My Peppermint is starting to show some brisltes, so I suppose that makes it a male.

[DiscusEden]

Samir, When they are mature the males have 'whiskers' like normal male bristlenose. A mature female may have short 'whiskers'.
Cheers,
David.

It could still be female, depends on the length & profusion of the bristles.

[Namn8r]

Males have a more diamond shaped head with a promenant ridge along the nose where the bristles develop. Females have a flatter head.

[Namn8r]

My "female" peppermint ias about 12cm -13cm and has a fat rubbery nose with 2 single bristles on her nose like a rhino horn. How fat do females get when gravid? Ive never seen mine get really fat...does that mean she could be a male? I have a male at 9cm with a full head of branching bristles....