sexing emperor

im sure this specific suggestion is somewhere i just dont wanna spend an hour digging through alot of posts.and if someone could answer a couple of questions?
can someone direct me to pics of males and females comparing those pectines V \ / i think thats what they're called.
i just got two emps today from petco and hope i didnt get a "bad'' mix of gender.like say two males,i hope they wont get all aggressive and start having a kung fu battle some random time,or a male and female that just breed all the time.or if theyd just fight in general?are they communal?they seemed ok with eachother at petco,there were a dozen all piled up under a log.is a 10 gallon with lots of hiding spots good for two? thanks ahead for any input coming ahead and sorry for posting random topics under one subject and being lazy and not digging.

if you have a male and a female the difference will prly be quite clear to you however this is not always the case lol such is life heres some pics i have used in the past....

There you go. Thanks Bex, now I can finally see the difference too of Emps. Too bad it doesnt work on yours since they are all the same;

thanks Bex.that helps out alot i will investigate my new babies.

alright so i checked out their pectines.the smaller more docile emp has big pectines and is V shaped compared to the other one.the other is bigger more aggressive and assertive and has considerably smaller pectines and a \ / shape.so male and female?or could the size difference be a factor?wait no the smaller emp has larger pectines so thats ruled out.and the V \ / shape.hmmmmm what do you all think?

Fully grown, females tend to be bigger. Plumper is the better word. When they are growing up you really cant tell from their size.

Look at the pectines, look at the size of the combs, look at their shape and position..
I dont know if you can count the teeth on the pectines or if it is a valid method of sexing Imperators. Bex might know more.

But you count the teeth on buthid to know for sure.

some more information

i also find female emps are a lot more aggressive than males

they are both approx the same age.the one i believe is female is bigger and thicker,has smaller "combs" and the shape of the thing that has the combs is more of a \ / than connected.i dont wanna stress em out by pullin em out again right now to count. if Bex finds females to be more aggressive that concludes the larger is a female, and the other with smaller combs and connected V and more docile is a male.
gasp am i gonna have a thousand emps roaming the tank in 7 months???

photos of the twos undersides.they are kinda blurry but you can see the big difference,sorry these arent all professional like Bex.

the one i believe is male


the one i believe is female


experienced eyes please

seems right. clear example

thanks for your eyes pluto.

anyone elses opinions are welcome..

ahem ahem

I'd say you are correct based off the size of the pectines. The genital operculum will also look quite different between males and females. Here is a link to a close up of a female, and some additional info.

CLICK


Note the pointed bottom. Males lack this feature, and the overall shape is more uniform.

thanks.ill get some better pics this friday when i set up their false bottom and have to handle em.dont wanna stress em out to much.


now i will click that link that says click.

hmmm now i have to look at the genital opening for a heartshaped box.
hmmmm if they are of the same sex and the couple of us are wrong its ok they cuddle together.homosexualis pandinus imperator

Love the Nirvana reference. The shape of the Genital operculum is by far the easiest way to sex them.

i wish i could eat your cancer when you turn black.

Hey... Wait... I got a new complaint.

Forever in debt to your priceless advice.

so when i did the false bottom i examined my emps again,there is no doubt in my mind i have a male and female after looking at all those male female pics. when should i expect baby emps?

At least a year man. More than likely longer.

Streettrash wrote:

At least a year man. More than likely longer.

Trash I quite right. From 1 to 1.5 years from when you see them mate.

deffo looks like a male and female to me too

babies!!!!!!

*~BEX~* wrote:

i also find female emps are a lot more aggressive than males

Opposite for me. My female is much easier to pick up than my male.



But, my male is much better to handle. He doesn't get spooked near as easily.

Our female legs it as soon anther a vibration like doors of tank opens or anything but saying that our other female is fine she just sits there lol