Convicts to be identified...

[sha_rk2002]

I have 2 convicts. How can I identify which one is male and which is female? I have divided them now using a divider. If I remove the divider, one Convict always hits on the belly of the other convict with its mouth. I could not understand whether its a fight or what? Also the other convict is so silent and not moving outside freely and hiding himself behind the filter. If I divide again, the dozile convict also becomes normal. Also both convicts could see a little through the divider and like a game they throw the sand from top to bottom. Do I need to provide any image or clip to show my convicts? Can some one help, what can I do for this?

[gm72]

If you can post a picture I'm sure we'll be able to help you more accurately.

I am moving the post to the General forum to increase visibility.

[Northernguy]

This link may help![Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[sha_rk2002]

Sir,

I am not very familiar about handling or viewing the forums created here. Can you please help to view the forum link to view the replies for my question?

Also, can you please tell me how to upload photo? I need to sit peacefully and take fotos of my convicts as both hide themselves inside the terracottas when I am near.....

[sha_rk2002]

Dear Moderator,

It seems there is no big response. I will soon try to upload my convicts snaps. you please help me identify there genders.


Thanks in advance,
S.Shankarganesh

[Jacko]

They could be any. As a general, females have an orangish belly and males have slightly more pointed fins. Sometimes this doesn't show up untill later in life and sometimes it's apparent when you first buy them.

A picture would definitely help though.

[kjell]

Hi
I just ad what i found out at Badmans Tropical fish.
Coloration:
Also known as the "zebra cichlid"; both this and "convict" are good descriptions of this species. It has black vertical bars on it's bluish-lavender body. There is usually a pink tinge to it's belly, and well-kept fish will have an iridescent pattern on their fins and sides. Both the dark stripes and pink belly become more pronounced during breeding. Males usually have darker stripes and pointier fins (in addition to their usually larger size), and fully mature ones will sometimes have a bit of a hump on their head. Females have pinker bellies and are usually rounder.
This is perhaps one of the most forgiving fish in the pet trade... they are amazing survivors and adaptors! However, they are not for the weak of heart and for those fishkeepers with peaceful community tank fish. These fish are NOT known for their gentle dispositions, and need to be kept with other aggressive, larger fish that will hold their own (it can and will harass some fish to death). They have been known to pick fights with Oscars more than 3X's their size, and win! Best kept alone or with their own kind, but fascinating fish to watch.

I have 2 Convicts and the male vill not alowe the female go to far and and stay to long away before he go and "tell" :l26: her to come back.When he do that he just "push":fish2: her in the belly.She do the same with him.
I have newer seen fish show so mutch love for each other and their fry as the Convicts:l19:
Kjell
:santatext:

[sha_rk2002]

Am absolutely thankful to you all for the repsonses. I will soon try to upload my convicts snaps. I have taken the snaps, but not sure whether it will help it is shot from long as when I go near the tank my 2 convicts go in to the terracotas.
As you all mentioned it is really entertaining to watch the cute activities of them. Also I dont have much worries to maintain them as it takes anything and do their work interestingly... Superb fish...

[NickFish]

Hey, I remember you from AllExperts!
Welcome to AC!

Like I told you, females have a red underbelly, but if they are very young they are hard to sex.

Work on getting those pics up!

[sha_rk2002]

Dear All,

Please find attached the snaps of my Convicts... Experting your comments....

12065

12066

[Northernguy]

Does the fish in the bottom pic have an orange tinge to it belly?

[William]

Top one: Male
Bottom one: displays signs of both male and female. Could be either judging from that picture.

[sha_rk2002]

I have the same confusion. It is very clear that the first is male. I remember some one saying a long fin normally will be there for males. The first convict has the same. But second it is not very clear for me. I could see slite orange spots on its neck as well. Convict 1 also hav small orange spot on it.
So is that advisable to divide and keep as it is now??

[NickFish]

The second one is tricky.

It has a female body shape, but male fins and coloration. Although, typically body shape is a better indicator of sex than coloration or fins. But we still can't be sure.

I would keep them serperated regardless, if they are seriously hurting each other they shouldn't be together.

[sha_rk2002]

If both are kept together, only the 1st convict will disturb the 2nd. The 2nd will be idle and hide himself next to the filter and could not see the movement. So I will divide them. May be after sometime if it grows and if I could find the coloration, I will again upload the snap. Based on your suggestion, I will remove the divider.