Cacatuoides sexing

[Hako]

Hi,

These 2 definitely look like they are of the same sex but just wanted to make sure. Please let me know if these are a m/f pair or 2 of the same sex. I supposedly got 2 pairs and the other 2 are def m/f but not sure of these...

Cheers,
H

 

[Mike Wise]

There is not really enough information to go on. How large/old are they? They could be a young male and older female or 2 males. It's hard to say from just a few photos.

 

[Hako]

Appreciate your reply Mike! They are around 2inches, almost the same size. No idea on their age, they are wc and I got them from the wet spot. I can wait a bit more and get some new pictures for better identification. Thanks again!

 

[Mike Wise]

I personally have never seen a wild female with a pattern on the caudal, especially red spots.

 

[Hako]

Yes. The other male from the first pair had a problem with both of the guys and not the obvious female so I guess it's safe to assume that these are both males. Thanks a lot Mike! Happy holidays to you!

 

[wethumbs]

You should have said they were from Wetspot earlier, I saw the batch of WC cacatuoides there. They were all fairly decent size and in your case, they are both males. As Mike has pointed out, WC females have no caudal pattern. Only males can have caudal pattern and there were a few in the batch that even the males have clear caudal.

 

[Hako]

Thanks! Actually I just came back from a 8 day vacation and the only female is no longer in the tank. So I was bummed that I was left with 3 males. But, apparently they have spawned and there are now around 7-8 free swimming fry in the tank. Is it safe to leave the male with the fry? He seems to be protecting them or should I move the little guys to another tank by themselves?

Thanks!
H

 

[wethumbs]

They have a better chance of surviving in the tank. If you are not sure, instead of moving the fry, move the adults out of the tank.