Male of female Limnochromis abeelei ?

[Dhonti]

Hello,

Can anyone tell me the differences between a male and female Limnochromis abeelei ?

[Michael Andersen]

There are no visible differences between the male and the female - you have to chech their vents.

How many do you have ?

Regards Michael

[Dhonti]

Thanks Michael.

Just two, probably a pair.

I believe to see some visible differences, but maybe it is wishfull thinking.

[Michael Andersen]

As far as i´m aware there should´nt be any ...
by the way, i have L. staneri and L. auritus at the moment - they too have no differences.

Regards Michael

[Dhonti]

OK, thanks.

[Dhonti]

Actually I meant differences in physique. It looks like the male is built higher and is also bigger than the female.

At the moment we have three Limnochromis abeelei. I think a male with two females. Two weeks ago there was a single one at Verduijn and we bought this one to see whether any changes should occur.

Has anyone ever seen these fish in the wild and how big were these ?

Photos will follow soon.

[Dhonti]

As promissed a few pic's of our three Limnochromis abeelei:

Presumed male:


Presumed female 1:


Presumed female 2:


The only difference we (my wife and I) can see is the body height, which by the male is the heighest right behind his head. With the females is the back the most heighest point of the body and not immidiatly behind the head but is is still guessing because by venting them the differences are very hard to see. Male and female 1 are about 15cm (7") and female 2 is about 12cm (5"). We got female 2 from another shipment and when we got her she was a bit damaged by the other fish in the tank she was in at the LFS.

So far the three of them seem to get along as there is only occaisionally chasing but no real damaging eachother. The male seems to develop some what more interest for female 2 so far which is added 4 weaks ago.

[Thomas Andersen]

Nice fish Gijs!

I have L. abeelei too (6 individuals) and can't see any differences specifically related to sex - there are certainly differences among these six fish, but I believe it just an individual variation among them; the biggest are now 22-23 cm.

[Dhonti]

I have to correct myself, the picture which I have named female 2 is in fact a male and once you know what too look for, the difference can be seen easily. The males have a flat lower body (belly) while the females have a round lower body (belly). A bit like the bodyshape of the American Thorichthys.
On this site from Benoit, pic 1 and 2 should be females and pic 3 should be a male, based on my bodyshape theory.

[Henodus]

Hi,

I have posibillity to buy L. abeelei and regarding to this I have questions:
1. Can I keep this kind of fish in one tank (200cm x 80cm x 70 cm) with Greenwoodochromis bellcrossi?
2. Does it aggressive fish?

Thanks for help:).