Sexing Discus...?

**ameliaaahx** · 04-29-2012, 09:29 PM

Here's some pictures of some discus. My friends and I all have our theories but would anyone mind clearing up the genders here? I know it's hard to tell from a photo but if you could do your best that would be great. :)

**Sandz** · 04-30-2012, 04:24 PM

You dont have pictures with breeding tubes down... you would either need to vent them or show their breeding tubes down. Pencil/pen = guy, oval = girl

**ameliaaahx** · 05-01-2012, 12:55 AM

Ohh thanks. :) They're not mine, we were just curious. Is there no way to sex discus that aren't yet sexually mature then?

**Sandz** · 05-01-2012, 12:54 PM

Nothing I have any experience in... Normally you throw a group of 6-10 in a bare bottom tank and let nature tell you.

If you dont have a mix of sexes in the tank in breeding condition, you wont get the tubes, and thats the clearest sign to show you. Angels are the same way.

You could vent them like other Mbuna and such, there is a lot of info out there on that.

**CrazedMichael** · 05-12-2012, 07:26 AM

I read somewhere that the shape of the fins can also help you determine.

If the anal fin is pointed at the end, it's most likely to be male. There are other variables that are hard to explain without diagrams. A discus breeding posted his findings on his website but i cannot find the link.

**ScottishFish** · 05-12-2012, 08:35 AM

That's a kinda overused way of identification I think. It works with a lot of cichlids therefore most people assume it with all cichlids. Even so should only really be used when they are fully mature, but other I'd tactics should be used aswell.

**Cermet** · 05-12-2012, 10:35 AM

I avoid this issue because some sites claim it can be done but experts do not agree. Sandz is correct - that is the only certain method. I don't know for sure and I even have a mated pair. Besides, you can not force discus to pair off - they do this themselves so not sure what good it does once you have the fish ... .