Sexing Nanochromis parilus

[_BaDgUy_]

I've acquired last month a pair of Nanochromis parilus, a male and a female. Female was beeing chased through the tank, and one jumped out, which I thought was the female... Just acquired 2 more females, but the one I had left seem to be a female. Any sure way to sex them?

 

[tjudy]

There should be some reddish and white barring in the caudal fin of the male. The females generally have pink bellies.

 

[Z Man]

I haven't had Westies in a long time but the easiest way to pick out females in a store tank if they look almost mature is check for the ovipositor. Once a female Parilus lays eggs, the tube stays somewhat extended from then on. A group of adults can be sexed out easily this way.

 

[_BaDgUy_]

Well... I got scr... over. By myself!!!
One of the original 2 fish jumped out of the tank while I was at work, and obviously died

Since the female was always being chased all over the tank, wand was obviously stressed out, I presumed that she was the suicidal one, so I bought 2 females to replace her...

With this info, I've got 3 very nice N. parilus fish with ovopositor tubes extended!

Just great!!! I'll have to go buy the male now!!

Thanks everyone!

Another question... are N. parilus harem spawners, or monogamous?

 

[Randall]

N. parilus

Dear good Badguy,

In what size tank are you housing your N. parilus, please? Compared to some of the other Nanochromis species, N. parilus is not known to be so intolerant of conspecifics. Are the social problems that you've experienced due to quarters that are too small?

Thank you.

Randall Kohn

 

[_BaDgUy_]

Tank size is a 10 gallon, with lots of hiding places, and plants.
No other fish were present in the tank.

As soon as I can fish out the 50 or so P. pulcher fry of one of my 20 gallons heavily planted, they are going in there, with half a dozen white clouds as dither.

 

[Randall]

Social Problems

Dear good bad boy,

You've just answered your own question:

"Tank size is a 10 gallon, with lots of hiding places, and plants.
No other fish were present in the tank."

A ten-gallon tank is simply too small to house a group of Nanochromis parilus or otherwise of breeding size. Until you have your larger quarters ready, a small group of dither fish, i.e. small tetras, will help to cut down on aggession. I'd recommend a dither presence in your 20-gallon tank as well.

Good luck with them; N. parilus is an exquisite little fish.

Randall Kohn