Re: External sex organ?

[Wright Huntley <jwwiii at pacbell_net>]

MotomanBarton at aol_com wrote:
> I've read in a book that says killies have an external sex organ, but can you 
> see it? By any chance is it the brownish thing rite by the male fish's anal 
> fin? Is it any way to tell if a male is conditioned.
> 


At least one species, the Fighting Gaucho (*Cynopoecilus melanotaenia*),
is internally fertilized, so the ventral fins (or is it the front edge 
of the
anal fin) are modified to help guide sperm to the female.

That's the only external sex organ I've ever heard of. It's no 
indication of conditioning, AFAIK.

Nothing so elaborate as even a guppy, or as impressive as a 
*Phallichthys amates* (Merry Widow). [Guess where *that* generic name 
came from. :-) ]

Wright

-- 
Wright Huntley -- 209 521-0557 -- 731 Loletta Ave, Modesto CA 95351

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