Sexing Nanochromis splendens juveniles

[freshwaterfishfan]

Hi all,

I have 15 F1 Nanochromis juveniles and I was wondering how to sex them? They are about 2 cm and except for some having a black dot (almost like a tilapia spot) on the dorsal fin, they all look alike. If I use my imagination, I might be able to say that some are more elongated then others. How can I tell boy from girl or did I get stuck with an uni-sex spawn?
Thanks
Steve (aka Freshwaterfishfan aka FFF)

 

[Randall]

Sexing Nanochromis splendens

Hello Steve,

If you read p. 161-62 in Anton Lamboj's book, he cites the sexual dimorphism and dichromatism of Nanochromis splendens, taken from Roberts and Stewart's original 1976 description of the species. The information furnished, however, is for mature specimens, which is not going to help you much with juveniles.

If the fish will cooperate, have a look at their pelvic fins. In males, the first pelvic ray is the longest, while in females, the first and second pelvic rays are about the same length.

Nice fish; good luck with them!

All the best,

Randall Kohn