Sexing Cichlids Pictures

**Lady Hobbs** · 02-17-2008, 03:21 PM

Sexing of cichlids often comes up. I posted these pictures a few months back but will post again as the question continues to come up.

Some cichlids you can tell the sex by just looking at them. Others you have to wait until you see their breeding tubes so here they are. These pics are actually blood parrots but the ID is the same for others regarding the breeding tubes.

Pictures were taken from TheBloodParrot.com forum and with their written permission, used here with their consent.

Female

Male

**jbeining75** · 02-17-2008, 04:17 PM

Nice post Hobbs.. This sticky will help out alot of cichlid owners...... Male longer breeding tube........ Hooray!!

**Tolley** · 02-17-2008, 06:35 PM

Nice Thread Hobbs!!!!
Nice Pics Blu!!!!

**Lady Hobbs** · 02-18-2008, 11:38 PM

As always, Blu-ray, your pictures are outstanding. I really have to give it to you on those tanks and fish, too. Your fish always look so happy and healthy and nicely colored and your tanks are always just spotless. Very good keeper of fish you are, indeed.

Great pictures and very informative for everyone to see the male is small and pointed and the female is larger, thicker and blunt. That should clear up all sexing questions on those bigger cichlids for sure.

Thanks a lot

**sailor** · 02-18-2008, 11:41 PM

Those pictures are fantastic Blu-ray

Thanks for sharing and posting these, it should answer a lot of peoples questions.

**dreadedluck** · 04-07-2008, 11:04 PM

That is amazing. How mature or what size typically do the fish need to be before you readily see the tubes? I have three green texas/texas hybrids (im convinced i was lied to about them being pure breed greenies) but they are only 2 and a half inches and still look like juveniles. Although a touch of subject, they are in a 90 gallon acrylic tank, that I have to try and sell, and if I do gain a pair of these cichlids, can I really keep them in a 40 or 50 gallon tank. I know it is not recommended, but i do not have space for anything bigger, and I would love to keep my tank but it just doesnt fit in a 9x9 bedroom, Im pathetic!

In sexing fish females are usually smaller and less aggressive? and males generally more beautiful, or am I mislead? I ask this cause of my tank situation.

Sorry for going off topic, and great pics!