He Or She ?

[hamfist]

It suddently dawned on me today that one of my sevs, whom I had previously assumed was female, due to a general lack of spots on the face/cheeks, and also on her bodyshape, has now developed quite a few spots on her cheeks. What's up here ? Is this just a female who has developed spots, or a male that is late in developing his spots ?
I'm aware that facial spots are not a 100% indicator of gender, but was not aware that a sev could change in this way so quickly.

I'm rather puzzled. Bodyshape-wise I was convinced this was a female.

Here's before and after pics. Only 3 weeks apart BTW.

Put this up on MFK and only one person was brave enough to hazard a guess. I'm sure people on here are braver though !!!!

 

[star4]

The spots do seem to develop at different rates. I have the same with the rotkeil babies, I have moved some to another tank thinking they were female and some have suddenly got more spots and look more like male.

 

[Joller]

the best way to find the gender of any cichlid is to closely inspect the vent (egg tube) if it has a pointy tip (like a 'v' ) its a male.
i've found that if you keep your cichlids well fed their vent becomes a little bit more prominent(due to a fat stomach ), although its most prominent when spawning (go figure)

 

[hamfist]

the best way to find the gender of any cichlid is to closely inspect the vent (egg tube) if it has a pointy tip (like a 'v' ) its a male.

True, but no naughty bits have been shown as yet. I could net her out and look at the vent but I'm just not prepared to put "her" through the stress of it, as it won't make a difference to my care of her whatever she turns out to be.

 

[GShorty1981]

I'm thinking both Male

 

[kaivalagi]

+1 both male, I have one definite female rotkeil and she has absolutely no spots on her cheeks

 

[GShorty1981]

^ Yep same i cant see any spotting on any of my female Severums

 

[hamfist]

Lol ... Well, OK, he is still called "Elouise". Might end up female still anyway. The facial spots are defo not 100% accurate.
I have owned many sevs though, and I really do see this fish as having a female bodyshape.

Ah well, only time will tell. Next time I net it out, I'll have a look underneath too.

Thanks to all for taking a look !

 

[Timmy_Bee]

Call him/her Lou then...

When do these spots start to appear? how old is your little guy/gal? i have two juvi gold sevs and am waiting to see what sex they may be.

 

[hamfist]

When do these spots start to appear? how old is your little guy/gal? i have two juvi gold sevs and am waiting to see what sex they may be.

THe two photos were taken three weeks apart, and the fish is about 3.5-4" long. Not sure how old as I have only had it for a couplpe of months.

 

[snowflake311]

I would say the first one female the other male. But only time will tell for sure.

 

[Timmy_Bee]

am i not right in thinking both photos are of the same fish? or did i miss something...

Hamfist - mine are at most 1 month old and just under 3" so i will give them a bit longer...

 

[hamfist]

am i not right in thinking both photos are of the same fish? or did i miss something...

No, you missed nothing. They are of the same fish, but taken 3 weeks apart.