Dumb question: How do you tell whether...

[ral]

Kind of embarrasing to ask. But you are a nice bunch anyway so I figure it would be safe enough to ask here.

 

[Sorrell]

Look for an oviposter, it's the white tube egg spot that females have on their belly

 

[ral]

Thanks. Trying to get a look under him/her. If this one is a lady she could give my males a pretty good beating if they ever tried anything

 

[ral]

Hhhhhmmm, how big would the white spot be. The bottom fin extends all the way up to the two fins near his/her belly. Would the white spot be between these two fins?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Between pecs and anal fin. Tiny white protrusion.

 

[ral]

Dont see anything but will keep checking. Don't want to disturb him/her too much.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

You try a mirror for flaring? If you aren't in a hurry to find ut the gender, you could try feeding live or frozen foods for a few days. If it gets ready to breed, then an oviposter would become more visible if it is a female.

 

[ral]

Thanks for the tips Tempestuousfury. Might just try that.

 

[Seahorse]

You try a mirror for flaring? If you aren't in a hurry to find ut the gender, you could try feeding live or frozen foods for a few days. If it gets ready to breed, then an oviposter would become more visible if it is a female.

Females flare though.

I guess if he builds a bubblenest, it will help clue you in. Even though sometimes females build, chances are it is still male.

 

[GuppyDude]

well females and males both flare at their reflections an dboth build nests ( my females do it quite often and even then if he/she doesn't how do u know its juts not a male that doesn't know how or can't ( mine was that way for a while ) regardless of were the fish is redy to breed the oviposture should always be pretty clear if u dont c it then its probably a male, ill post a pick for you if i can find one

 

[GuppyDude]

ok here ya go, this is where the oviposture should be located but im afraid there were no real clear pics available of it,

 

[Sorrell]

See the white spot?

 

[Opcn]

If sorrells picture doesnt clear things up you could always go to an LFS and look at a fish that you know to be female and see what one looks like in person.


Also Just FYI the longer "hangy Downy" fins are the Ventral fins the pectoral fins are near the operculum so the spot would be between the ventral fins and the anal fin where all cloaca can be found

 

[ral]

I really can't see a white spot so I am guessing he is a male. If I am wrong I guess I will find out sooner or later

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Just don't mix it in with a male betta and you should be ok.