This could get interesting...

[Demjor19]

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/KaraJ0/Monster%20Fish%20II/th_DSCN1978.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/KaraJ0/Monster%20Fish%20II/?action=view&current=DSCN1978.flv)

[Demjor19]

Do you guys/girls think they could be "hitting it off"? Seems to me that they are courting one another. I dont know if the eggs would stand a chance with all of the lochaes in there though.

[Northernguy]

That would be a different mix!
Could you scoop the eggs out as soon as they are fertal?

[Demjor19]

That would be a different mix!
Could you scoop the eggs out as soon as they are fertal?

If I'm home i can. I'll keep my eyes open and hope to catch them in the act. i have a breeder box ready to go if anything happens.

[Lab_Rat]

They sure look like they're courting! Would be a very interesting cross...

[Red]

I highly doubt the eggs would be fertile, there is also is enough crosses in this world, and it would be nice if we would not add one more.

[Demjor19]

I highly doubt the eggs would be fertile, there is also is enough crosses in this world, and it would be nice if we would not add one more.

Why wouldnt the eggs be fertile? Both fish are pure strains...

This was not intended anyways...in fact I dont have much of an intention for breeding anything but my Rotkeils (although it may be cool to see one grow in my personal collection). If they do breed they will likely become Dovii/Gar food.

[thatcichlidguy]

I think it's because the both apear to be female. If they are male and female, they would likely be fertile since just about every CA can interbreed and create hybrids easily.

[Demjor19]

I think it's because the both apear to be female. If they are male and female, they would likely be fertile since just about every CA can interbreed and create hybrids easily.

I was under the impression that the Tex was a male? He/she is getting a nice head anyways.

[thatcichlidguy]

I could be wrong about that , but my understanding is that with that genus the dorsal blotch normally indicates that a fish is female. It's always possible I have it backwards though. Guess you'll find out if they spawn and you get wrigglers.

[bushwhacker]

at first i couldnt see the orange on the cons belly but thats def a female. the texas i dont know about but that certainly looks like mating behavior to me

[Demjor19]

I'm finding very conflicting info with sexing Texas cichlids. I guess i'll find out soon enough. Will keep you updated.

[Crispy]

Is that your short-body texas? hmmm.... interesting, but I doubt they'll spawn viable fry.

[Demjor19]

Is that your short-body texas? hmmm.... interesting, but I doubt they'll spawn viable fry.

No. This would be my normal Texas.

[fish123234]

Cons and Texas cichlids have a nasty tendency to spawn with anything and everything. Usually when you see a CA mix it has one of these two guys in it. If they are different gendered they will produce some fry, however I believe they will look very drab compared to their parents.

- here’s a video I pulled up from a google search

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kuy0Rj21PbM

Apparently this mature cross is pretty aggressive.

[thatcichlidguy]

I'm finding very conflicting info with sexing Texas cichlids. I guess i'll find out soon enough. Will keep you updated.
I was trying to find you a good link to show the differences between the male and female dorsal with the spot. Unfortunately all the photos I found were of mature fish . In mature specimens The spot/blotch tends to become very muted and when in breeding dress is often invisible.

[Demjor19]

After looking I tend to agree...the Tex does look like a female.

[Ocellatus]

Not clear enough in the video but his/her breeding tube is fully out, its not that hard to sex them from breeding tube at breeding time.

[thatcichlidguy]

Yeah but the problem is that unless you have two of the same species for comparison it can be hard to be 100% even with venting. I had a female Black Belt that if you looked at the tube you would swear up and down it was a male. I did untill it laid eggs.

[Ocellatus]

Yeah thats right, it needs experience and comparison. even sometimes they are not enough. I had two red devils one proven female and the other with signs of male and different tube, I tried to pair them off many times, at last I ended up with two females!

however in some cases its an easy and helpful way.

[thatcichlidguy]

Ageed, normally it's the best way to tell. Of course the only 100% wat to tell is to actually watch them spawn.

[octoxpuss]

Ha u know what have been interesting my convict breed with my jack dempsey when i had them but i didnt have any room for the fry so i ended getting rid of the eggs. :( i felt bad about doing it but they would have gotten eatin anyway.