atahualpa sexing

[brad]

I'd like a few tricks for sexing young atahualpa. I tried taking pics but that didn't work out very well.

I have 5 total and all but one are showing spots on the anal fin. Most have a somewhat orange belly which I know the male keeps, but from what I understand, the female does have some orange colour to her belly as well. I'm looking for good ways to sex them.

Thanks

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

I've never looked at the barring in the anal fin as a method of sexing, and looking at my fish I don't think it would be a strong enough diagnostic marking in juveniles to tell the sexes apart. I don't think the blue spangling on the face would work either as a number of my females show this (granted, to a lesser extent) as well.

Back to my trusted method, if they are old enough, then your females will show black edging to the trailing ventral fins. Some of my adults:

Male:

Female (with male behind):

Andrew

 

[brad]

hmmm, well that more than a little discouraging. None are showing any colour other than blue on the ventral fins. All but one are near an inch and a half.

 

[a.d.wood]

hmmm, well that more than a little discouraging. None are showing any colour other than blue on the ventral fins. All but one are near an inch and a half.

Sorry Brad, but at that size I would expect to see the females with black on the ventral fins.

Andrew