Sexing Cichlids Pictures

**nhtodd** · 02-09-2009, 04:07 AM

Very cool info was wondering that myself. My only other question would be when do cichlids become sexually mature thats my only other pondering?

**Lady Hobbs** · 02-09-2009, 04:27 AM

My firemouths floored me how early they started. My female couldn't have been much more than 3 inches long......like 3-4 months old......and she had a big pile of eggs.

It doesn't take them long at all and always way before you are set up for a ton of babies.

**Lady Hobbs** · 02-09-2009, 04:34 AM

Originally Posted by Northernguy

Outstanding pics all!!!!!
I now see why the males have all the color,gods way of making up for such a small breeding tube.

Tonight is my first time to saw this post and you will not believe how hard I am laughing right now!

Priceless!

**Brookfish** · 02-09-2009, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

Tonight is my first time to saw this post and you will not believe how hard I am laughing right now!

Priceless!

Yes that was a very astute observation NG.

Great thread Lady H and fantastic pics everyone!!

**Deleted User** · 02-09-2009, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Northernguy

Outstanding pics all!!!!!
I now see why the males have all the color,gods way of making up for such a small breeding tube.

That comment is priceless NG.

Great pics everyone. Explains a lot.

I am still working my way through all these primers.. They are so full of fantastic info.

**William** · 02-09-2009, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by dreadedluck

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!

You can usually tube them at young age. 1 inch gives you a good idea, two inch usually allow you to be quite sure (99%). Please not that the differences are less visable outside the breeding period.

**Lady Hobbs** · 12-03-2009, 11:09 PM

Blu_ray had some awesome pictures here no longer showing. We will get him to post them again, perhaps?

**Ocellatus** · 12-04-2009, 06:51 PM

Sure!

Female Parrot fish :

female's breeding tube is bigger, wider and rounder than male's. at breeding time it becomes even bigger.
male's is more pointed and narrower. ( male's photo in the first page )

both photos here are females, taken in different years from same 2 fish :

**Ocellatus** · 12-04-2009, 07:02 PM

Oscars are not easy to sex at all, even with comparing photos.
female's tube is way rounder and wider but In my experience usually it is not visible except in breeding time. but male's tube is often visible, specially in presence of other oscars.

I have a pair but its still confusing for me when I look at breeding tube of an oscar in non-breeding time.

Female Oscar :
( at breeding time )