Newcomer would like some help sexing my P. imperator

Hello scorp forum. I'm a newcomer ( )and I recently picked up a p. imperator and would like help at sexing it. There were two of them together in confinement where i purchased it. Of the two i chose the larger, more robust one. The other was about 2/3 the size and rather thin, and less interested in me i would say. I have images at the link below, some are a little bit blurry but others are crystal clear. I have only handled it to put it in the tank and plan on letting it relax a little bit before i bother it again for better a pic of the pectines. I believe these images should suffice. From what i know so far, its possible that this may be a male. The plate on the body is pretty much an oval, and the pectines are prominent...from what i can see--then again my observation could be wrong. If any of you can help me verify which sex it is, please by all means-i would greatly appreciate it.

https://s547.photobucket.com/albums/hh468/Nacademus/

Definetly a male you have there.

large pectines and oval opperculum (sp?) MALE.
do you have any other scorps?
welcome to the forum!

another vote for male mate, and also welcome

Definitely male.

Now get it off of that vermiculite (or woodchips, or whatever it is) and onto some expanded coconut fiber or peat. The stuff it's on does NOT hold humidity and does NOT allow for burrowing.

Mr. Mordax wrote:

Definitely male.

Now get it off of that vermiculite (or woodchips, or whatever it is) and onto some expanded coconut fiber or peat. The stuff it's on does NOT hold humidity and does NOT allow for burrowing.

Funny you should say that, i had already layed down about 6 inches of the stuff and removed the other junk, it was merely temporary. pics linked below. Thanks for you concern, im happy to now be a member of this forum. Tell me what you think of my setup. His name is Trucido.

https://s547.photobucket.com/albums/hh468/Nacademus/

Sorry, I get kind of twitchy when I see an emperor kept on the wrong substrate.

Now, my advice is to remove the sponges from the water dish and remove the bark chips from the substrate. Everything else is fine.

Mr. Mordax wrote:

Sorry, I get kind of twitchy when I see an emperor kept on the wrong substrate.

Now, my advice is to remove the sponges from the water dish and remove the bark chips from the substrate. Everything else is fine.

*sigh* I feel there is plenty of barkless space for him to burrow- plus, i think it adds something fun for him to conquer. Maybe ill remove them anyway- more than likely i will. Is there a certain reason to remove them? i appreciate any help. As for the sponges, i just dont want him to fall in the water dish with nothing to help him get out- any advice as to why i should remove those too? is my substrate too deep? not deep enough? Please let me know

I don't think it's possible to have substrate that's too deep. They love to burrow. But I wouldn't say yours is too shallow. It looks fine.

As for removing the bark, it just doesn't really contribute anything. I see no need to leave it in, but as long as you have plenty of coco fiber as your primary substrate (which you do), leaving it shouldn't harm anything.

All the sponges do are breed bacteria. Emps can submerge themselves for hours at a time without suffering ill effects, and some have been known to do this on purpose (I recall even seeing a video where one "scrubbed" himself with his telson). And since they're good climbers, they can get out of most any water dish.

Mr. Mordax wrote:

I don't think it's possible to have substrate that's too deep. They love to burrow. But I wouldn't say yours is too shallow. It looks fine.

As for removing the bark, it just doesn't really contribute anything. I see no need to leave it in, but as long as you have plenty of coco fiber as your primary substrate (which you do), leaving it shouldn't harm anything.

All the sponges do are breed bacteria. Emps can submerge themselves for hours at a time without suffering ill effects, and some have been known to do this on purpose (I recall even seeing a video where one "scrubbed" himself with his telson). And since they're good climbers, they can get out of most any water dish.

Excellent point on the bacteria in the sponges, thank you. removing them now.

mike, your in a bit of a naggy mood today arent you? LOL!
anyway, well done for taking all the 'advice' so well and welcome to the forum!

I just like to see emps kept in the best conditions.

yea but dont scare the newcomers with your overpowering knowledge...

Mr. Mordax wrote:

I just like to see emps kept in the best conditions.

I assure you i will do my best at maintaining my p. imperator and provide the best conditions possible-especially with the help of all of you here.