Aquarium Shark fish Male or Female
A common question amongst shark fish lovers is how to tell shark gender. It’s not easy to tell the difference between male and female sharks when they are young because they all look the same. You can only identify male and female sharks when they become adults.
What is a Male Shark Called?
Before we start discussing the differences between male and female sharks, let’s know what a male shark is called. A male shark is called a Bull
What is a Female Shark Called?
A female shark doesn’t have a specific name. Unlike male sharks which are called Bulls, female sharks are simply called female sharks..
Iridescent Shark Lifespan
Iridescent shark lifespan is up to 20 years and as they grow old they grow in size as well. However, aquarium sharks are smaller in size as compared to river sharks.
Iridescent Shark Size
An adult iridescent shark can reach a size of up to 130cm in large water bodies. However, in aquariums, it is usually 12 to 16 inches. It’s only when they become an adult that you can tell the difference between male and female sharks.
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How to identify male and female aquarium sharks?
Now we know that it’s not possible to tell sharks gender when they are young. However, when they grow up to a size of 12 to 16 inches in the aquarium, you can tell the difference between male and female sharks by looking for these four things:
1. Size
2. Shape
3. Claspers
Size
Male sharks are generally smaller than female sharks. Male sharks have lean and long bodies, while female sharks have fuller bodies. This is because females bear pups, so they need to have bigger and fuller bodies.
Shape
The shape of male sharks is lean and long. They have thin bodies and are longer than female sharks. Female sharks, on the other hand, are broader and fatter compared to male sharks.
Claspers
The most easily identifiable and major difference between male and female sharks is claspers. Male sharks have claspers, while female sharks do not. Claspers are male sex organs of sharks, an appendage or extension of the pelvic fin in male sharks which helps in the mating process. Claspers can only be seen in adult sharks as they are not developed in young sharks.
By now you know how to identify male and female sharks and are ready to put them in your aquarium.
Conclusion
Distinguishing between male and female aquarium shark fish can be challenging when they are young. However, by observing their size, shape, and the presence of claspers in adult sharks, you can identify their gender. Understanding these differences will help you better care for your aquarium sharks and ensure a healthy environment for them.
