Firemouth

[ash_gsi]

Just bought last week and starting to colour nicley, was just wanting to sex the fish unsure how to tell or is it too young?

 

[minnnt]

Wow! certainly does have nice colouration!!

A bit too young yet imo... Wills will probably be able to tell though

Males tend to have longer fin extensions, but isn't always a certainty.

 

[Westwood]

They are really hard to sex anyway, even when adult. My female is smaller than my male, but this is not a sure way of telling. Easiest way to get a pair is to buy a group of 6 and let them pair off themselves. Some people say that you can tell by the fins, but this is still not for certain. The only certain way you can tell is when they are breeding, the females ovipositor is bigger and allot thicker than the males!

2 nice fish you have there! My favourites!
Hope that sort of helps answer your question!

Westwood.

 

[ash_gsi]

Im hoping its a female, both pics are the same fish, the male im pretty sure on, longer dorsal, alot more red on the fins and the throt is alot redder. ill keep my fingers crossed and hope. how big before they get as colourfull as yours wesstwood? fantastic looking fish you have there

 

[minnnt]

Alot depends of pedigree of the fish... I believe Westwoods are F1's?

 

[ash_gsi]

just managed to get a quick pic of them together, not the best photo and please excuse the algae on the glass, been a hectic christmas period. will be cleaned tomorrow when i feel better!

 

[Westwood]

Yes mine are F1. My male is not really that big, only about 3", female is only 2".Some females can be just as good looking as the males, with the extended rays on the fins.

 

[ash_gsi]

Are your f1's your breeding pair? if so let me know when you next get fry for sale and ill come pick some up! lol 3 hour round trip but worth it looking at yours!

also how can you tell the pedigree of a firemouth? ive never seen any differance in any shops

 

[Westwood]

Yes, Follow the link in my Sig and just let me know when you want some.
In shops usually you will just get tank breed. If they are wild, f1 or f2 they will say and there will be a boost in price.