Clown Loach sexing?

[Gourami_Boy]

Any ideas on determining the genders of my 2 recently purchased clown loach?...

 

[Faramir]

They're fry. You might be in with a chance with mature specimens - say 7 or 8 inches long.

 

[Gourami_Boy]

hehe

ill wait a few years (10 - 16yrs) and ask this question again as that seems to be the average adult life of these fish..!

 

[stik6shift98]

i have 5 inch ones

how can u tell?

 

[Faramir]

If it lays eggs it's female.

Seriously, though, they are very hard to sex. A female in breeding condition would be fuller in the body.

 

[stik6shift98]

anyone breed them??? what are their ideal breeding conditions?

 

[JamesBenjamin]

hate to say it, but i dont think anyone, anywhere has EVER breed them.

 

[Faramir]

They have. It's a bit hit and miss.

http://www.loaches.com/loachbreeding.shtml

It's definitely something that more work should be put into. I'm sure it would not be hard in ponds indoors or in warmer climes.