Using the anal fin to sex Dwarf Cichlids

[jumpmaster]

Can the anal fin be used to to sex Dwarf Cichlids? Is this a constant or will it change from breed to breed. For example, my Thomasi (which I feel is a female) has a rounded anal fin and she has a rounded belly - like she is full of eggs. One of me other Thomasi does not have a rounded belly and a pointed anal fin. I am tryng to get a photo, but she won't co-operate

 

[Mike Wise]

It really depends on the species - and their maturity. I think you need to read a good book or two on dwarf cichlids.

 

[jumpmaster]

It really depends on the species - and their maturity. I think you need to read a good book or two on dwarf cichlids.

I agree completely, I am at the start of my fish keeping journey. I have "fallen in love" with dwarf cichlids. At the moment, I have 1 macmasteri, 4 thomasi, 1 bolivian ram, and 10 laetacara cuviceps

 

[wethumbs]

Maybe you will discover a new way to sex them. I came up with a way to read pleco poop to determine when to switch their diet, I believe the art of reading pleco poop is the key to keeping and breeding them. Kind of like Tasseography where one can predict the future by reading tea leaves.

 

[Mol_PMB]

I've been reading my pleco poop since you mentioned it the tip about stringy poo indicating too much protein is really helpful.

When I feed red (sweet/bell) peppers to my L244s, the poop comes out red and the little Dicrossus think it's a bloodworm treat. They are so disappointed...

 

[jumpmaster]

With the Laetacara curviceps it it easy to sex them

 

[wethumbs]

My L46s get super thin poop when they get too much protein. They are like hair thin. I have to switch them to other food to get some good solid poop out of them from time to time.