Sexing Nanochromis parilus

[Andre]

Hi guys

I bought a bunch of N. parilus a while back and noticed one had a breeding tube visible this evening. I am used to angels and it looked like a male?

How do you guys determine the gender of these fish?

 

[retro_gk]

Females are smaller and have a much larger, rounded belly, with a pink flush. Gravid females will look like they swallowed a marble.

I've never seen the extended breeding tube on a male Nanochromis. Females will show a prominent ovipositor for a couple of days before they spawn.

 

[aquaticclarity]

Almost every “mature†female N. parilus will have a distended breeding tube regardless of being about to spawn or not. I’ve found that the distended "breeding tube" or ovipositor is one of the easiest and most reliable visual comparisons to use when attempting to determine the sex of even young, around ¾â€Â-1â€Â, N. parilus. retro_gk is right, gravid females do look like they swallowed a marble and can be a very impressive sight to behold.

So, to answer your question:

Females will show a distinct ovipositor and also become quit round in the belly

Males will never show an ovipositor and remain slim and elongated

Jeff

 

[Andre]

Thanks guys. Mine are around 8cm Total length and are currently sharing a tank. I will try to move the female to a breeding tank with one of the big slender ones and see what happens