The ongoing Male/ female question.

[Abeythefishman]

The fish store swore up and down that this was a male and a female.
The fins say it's a real pair but the colouring suggests it maybe a subordinate male.
They're both about 1.5 inches.
I used to get cacatoides years ago and the female had no colour butI'm told that with the manipulation that the breeders do these days, it's hard to know.
If anybody can help identify these I'd be very grateful.

 

[TriStar Aquatics]

Those are 100% both male. You should find a better fish store that's not going to lie right to your face.

 

[MacZ]

The fins say it's a real pair but the colouring suggests it maybe a subordinate male.

The colours are absolutely no help anymore. The caudal fin has also lost the distinguishing quality in many strains.

I used to get cacatoides years ago and the female had no colour butI'm told that with the manipulation that the breeders do these days, it's hard to know.

That's exactly the problem, hence I recommend people to stay clear of the domestic forms of A. cacatuoides. The smaller fish could just aswell be a female, up to a certain size/age it has become really hard. I would not bet on this one from a distance.
Besides possible further growth, the behaviour will give you the clues necessary.

 

[Yvonne G]

it's been my experience clerks in stores aren't always as knowledgeable as they'd like you to believe. Remember, they're in business to sell stuff and make a profit.

 

[Abeythefishman]

The colours are absolutely no help anymore. The caudal fin has also lost the distinguishing quality in many strains.

That's exactly the problem, hence I recommend people to stay clear of the domestic forms of A. cacatuoides. The smaller fish could just aswell be a female, up to a certain size/age it has become really hard. I would not bet on this one from a distance.
Besides possible further growth, the behaviour will give you the clues necessary.

Thanks for your response.
I suspect the breeders keep the females to spawn more fish.
I’ll put in a coconut and wait it out!

 

[MacZ]

Thanks for your response.
I suspect the breeders keep the females to spawn more fish.
I’ll put in a coconut and wait it out!

Of course. And people at home breed with them as well.
So, honestly, don't even try. Leave the coconut out. The behaviour will tell you also without one and if necessary separate them. You wouldn't want to breed with that fish if it turns out female anyways. You'd just propagate the problem further.

 

[Abeythefishman]

Those are 100% both male. You should find a better fish store that's not going to lie right to your face.

well, it seems the fish store was right...she turned more yellow et voila!...eggs.

 

[anewbie]

I had a female honsloi most thought was a male until she laid eggs. These little devils can be tricky - probably intentional.

 

[Abeythefishman]

The males sometimes pretend to be females. I heard the same happens in Bangkok sometimes!