Help sexing LDA33/L142

[krazyGeoff]

Hi there,
I have a group of 6 of these and I "think" that I have an idea what sex they are.
I was wondering if anyone wanted to assist with sexing these for me?
Here are the subjects:
Subject 1: Length (TL) = 18cm


Subject 2: Length (TL) = 18cm


Subject3: Length (TL) = 14cm


Subject 4: Length (TL) = 16cm


Subject 5: Length (TL) = 15cm


Subject 6: Length (TL) = 14.5cm


Thanks

Geoff
Edit - changed title

[krazyGeoff]

Ummmm........
Pictures not good enough / wrong angle?
Too small to sex?
not interesting enough?
wrong forum?
wrong title? (changed title)
Is it fair to assume that the females are darker / blacker in their base colouration? (based on Cat-eLog pics)

Thanks
Geoff

[MatsP]

Looking at head-shape (wider for males) and pectoral fin odontodes (hairy on males).

#1 - Male
#2 - Male
#3 - Female
#4 - Female
#5 - Unsure
#6 - Unsure

I'm not at all sure about the above, but it's my "best guess".

Certainly, if I had to pick a three fish to make a trio, I'd pick #1, #3 and #4.

--
Mats

[hotplecogirl]

Are they even LDA33?

[MatsP]

Good question. But I don't know what ELSE it would be. Why do you think it's NOT LDA33?

--
Mats

[hotplecogirl]

Well i think the spots appear too small?I have bought some LDA33 or so i think and there spots are much bigger and not as many.

[krazyGeoff]

Thanks,
Boys and girls is always a good start.

Cheers

[panaque]

I came to the same conclusions as Mats. #6 looks like it might be a male judging from its shape but it may need to grow a bit more .

Is it fair to assume that the females are darker / blacker in their base colouration? (based on Cat-eLog pics)

I doubt it...

Well i think the spots appear too small?I have bought some LDA33 or so i think and there spots are much bigger and not as many.

The spots are quite variable in this species, aren't they?

[DJ-don]

i'm not very confident but personally i think all of them are female besides 1 & 2

[wrasse]

I agree 1 and 2 could well be males. I think they all need to grow more to be certain. Are you getting any indications from their behaviour?

I also wonder if they are LDA33. I've seen them with bigger -and fewer- bright white spots. Maybe its a regional variation.

[MatsP]

I'd say the spot size is roughly matching this:


--
Mats

[krazyGeoff]

I agree 1 and 2 could well be males. I think they all need to grow more to be certain. Are you getting any indications from their behaviour?

I also wonder if they are LDA33. I've seen them with bigger -and fewer- bright white spots. Maybe its a regional variation.

1 and 2 both spend all their time "fanning". They no longer enjoy each others company.
1 I call "the watcher" as he? seems quite interested in sitting on a rock watching me as I go about my daily fish chores.

I have not managed to get them to enter a cave of any shape or material yet.

They were purchased in groups of 3, the first were 10ish cm, the second were 6ish cm. Normally their base colour is somewhat darker, and the spots also appear brighter.

Thanks
Geoff