Epiplatys dageti

[Derek]

Anyone know if there are confirmed enviromental factors such as temperature which affects the sex ratio in this species? I have them in a well planted tank (mainly Java moss & riccia) but all the fry are males. I only have one female E. dageti so would definately like to remedy that situation.

If not enviromental, is it likely to be due to some behaviour difference in the female fry. Such as they tend to hide less and as such are more likely eaten by the adults in the tank. If so should I harvest the eggs and raise the fry separately.

[Caryl]

I don't know about this species specifically but temperature has been shown to affect the sex of some others so why not?

[ajbroome]

Derek said...

> Anyone know if there are confirmed enviromental factors

> such as temperature which affects the sex ratio in this species?

I don't know of any specific information on this fish but various

environmental factors are thought to skew sex ratios in other

killifish species. I get mostly males too but I suspect it's a case

of the females being slower growing and more timid so that

they get bullied and/or eaten by the other developing (male) fry

or adults in the tank.

The best way to get more fry is to set the fish up in a planted

tank for a couple of weeks, feed well and then remove the adults.

About a week later start feeding the tank with small amounts of

brine shrimp. Generally you'll get several fry (20ish from a pair

or two) and if fed well you should get better sex ratios. At least

that's been my experience.

The batch before last, I got 7 males and 4 females. My current

batch is just sexing out but looks to have several females at least.

Glad to hear someone else out there is breeding these fish.

Andrew.

[Derek]

Thanks Andrew, I'll try pulling the adults out and see what happens?