Sexing two XL LHC (PPL)

Niko · Post by **Niko** » 08 Jul 2010, 01:03

First, the two PPL received a short bath to ensure that they come out more easily. I've found that imitating the way LHC shake their shell each other when bullying make them coming out easily. It's not shaking wodka-martini cocktail, you just have to make some little and jerky movements with your hand. Maybe LHC think that an another one is trying to steal his shell, so he comes out and try to flee.

First one. XL from guatemala coast in vietnam shell.

Two gonopores found, it's a female

Second one. XL from Guadeloupe in turbo shell.

No gonopores found. It's a male.

ladybug15057 · Post by **ladybug15057** » 08 Jul 2010, 02:38

Great pictures! An easier sometimes more hermie friendly way of seeing species is with a clear glass bowl. One can put the hermie in and as they try to climb the glass sides it exposes their genital area, or even if they attempt to climb the glass wall of their tank.
Sometimes after a bath they will stretch out too so one can see.

CrabbyJo · Post by **CrabbyJo** » 08 Jul 2010, 04:13

Beautiful job on the pictures, and nice clear shots of the gonopores!

I too don't like disturbing my hermies that much, I'm an ol' softie. I use Marie's technique, but then, my crabs are much smaller and it's harder to see the gonopores. I wait until they are "climbing the walls" of the tank and snap a photo and inspect that after, since it really is hard to tell even looking up close!

Great pics.

Niko · Post by **Niko** » 08 Jul 2010, 04:50

I'm agree with you Marrie and Crabby, there are other ways to see gonopores and your is the easiest.
I use mine when i want to make clear pics because gonopores are more visible.

ladybug15057 · Post by **ladybug15057** » 08 Jul 2010, 04:54

You did a great job at that. I can't imagine trying to chase along the bottom of the bowl with a camera.

One hand I hold the hermie, other hand has a magnifying glass with a bifocal dot for those little visions I cannot see otherwise.

Niko · Post by **Niko** » 08 Jul 2010, 05:03

I haven't spoke about it but i had to be very very patient to make those shots.....and be carefull with my fingers

Suebee · Post by **Suebee** » 08 Jul 2010, 07:24

another great post Niko.. Ive not seen better photos of the gonopores !

Niko · Post by **Niko** » 10 Jul 2010, 08:04

Thanks Suebee.

babesbarn · Post by **babesbarn** » 19 Nov 2010, 06:45

I found these pictures very helpful as I have been wondering what sex each of my four hermies are. Jumbo is pretty big and he can really hang on if he needs to so I am not turning him any whichway. Yesterday I saw two big hermies Jumbo and I think Spiderman (keeps changing shells so he confuses me) but they were hanging out by the food dish. It was evening and tv was on and lately they have been dancing by the waterhole..lols. But I think that now that I have seen the pictures here, i will have a good idea what is what in the sexing dept. Unless someone has a baby hermie. Then i wonder what mothering is done by the mama

Sexing two XL LHC (PPL)

Sexing two XL LHC (PPL)

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Re: Sexing two XL LHC (PPL)

Re: Sexing two XL LHC (PPL)

Re: Sexing two XL LHC (PPL)

Re: Sexing two XL LHC (PPL)

Re: Sexing two XL LHC (PPL)

Re: Sexing two XL LHC (PPL)

Re: Sexing two XL LHC (PPL)