Sexing alligator pipes (S.biaculeatus)

[Luis A M]

Could they be sexed?.I couldnt`t find info about that,other than Kuiter`s stating that females have a more ornamental belly.

 

[namxas]

Males typically have a more convex belly than females so they can hold the eggs.

 

[Luis A M]

Thanks!
I´ve been watching my "pair" and indeed,one has a concave (not convex) belly,plain green.While the other´s is perfectly flat and decorated with tiny white spots.
The head of the female looks smaller and more delicate,with a shorter snout,though this could be subjective.She is a smaller fish too.

 

[reefstew]

Has anyone seen any alligator pipes for sale ? I have been checking the wholesale list since July & nobody has any.

 

[JeremiahChua]

Saw one for the first time at the LFS in San Francisco... freaked me out. They're huge!

 

[namxas]

We just saw a couple at one of the LFS here in So. CA, so they're around.

 

[wdt2000]

reefhotspot.com also has them listed for sale

 

[fishguy194]

I believe males also tend to have 3 or 4 red spots on each side of their belly which are parallel to each other. It may be the females, I know one sex has them and the other does not... it has been too long since I worked with this species!