Rineloricaria lanceolata bristle loss/regrowth

[bedwetter]

I bought three R. laceolata a few months ago. The male had huge growths of cheek and pectoral odontodes, as well as some on top of his head. He started to lose his bristles after awhile, perhaps because I was keeping the group in suboptimal conditions (high hardness and pH, poor choice in tankmates). Well, a few weeks ago I started doing water changes with RO water, and his odontodes have started to grow back. Is this just an idicator of being happerier, or is he getting ready to spawn?

Also, my female now has a light growth of bristles on her cheeks, but does not have any on her head or pectorals (and the pectorals are not thickened either). Is this normal for female whiptails, or do I have a subdominant male?


Male when purchased (May06):



Pair, male without bristles (midJuly06:


Male with new growth (late August06):


Females growth (aug06):



Any info you have would be much appreciated!

[Shane]

Many loricariid spp lose and regrow their odontodes through the year as the spawning season comes and goes. The females of some spp have odontodal growth as well, but much less growth than males.
-Shane

[bedwetter]

thanks for the info shane.
I am not too worried about the female being a 'he' anymore because I looked at my female Sturisoma and she has a small patch of odontodes too.

[FuglyDragon]

Interestingly my adult male lost an eye at some stage before I bought him, his odontal growth is allways more pronounced on the side with his remaining eye for some reason.