Platy: Male Or Female?

[slimeneo]

The picture is a bit unclear, but the anal fin is fanned out like a females, but not completely. The bottom part is sort of pointy like a males. The little guy is a little over an inch long. Not sure about the age, but I've had him/her for almost 2 months now

Is it because he's not sexually mature yet or is he disguising his gender?

I have another platy with the same ambiguous anal fin, neither of them have changed over these 2 months.

Thanks!!

 

[fluttermoth]

I would say that's a sub-dominant/late developing male.

 

[KrystaK]

If it is over an inch long it should be sexually mature, or very close to it. My vote is they are both female, as males have a very definite gonopodium, and there is very clearly some fan action going on with the platy you have posted.

Though I have heard a rumor that Platy's can change their gender. I've never seen it or had a definite story, just rumors, perhaps you should look into that


Edit: Obviously there is some speculation lol, but my vote it still on female.
You could always go to the pet store and buy a platy that you can tell is either ml=ale or female and introduce it and see how the others react, that would be an easy way to tell.

 

[slimeneo]

Hm, well my guess was that they were female as well because the only male I have has a very different anal fin. However I'm not sure if he's mating with anyone (if the 2 ambiguous fish are female, then I would have 1 male, 4 female) since none of them are pregnant. He does try to chase everyone around though.

I've heard about the gender changing rumors, but how does that work exactly? Do they just magically develop the other gender's characteristics or...

Thanks for responses

 

[fluttermoth]

They don't change gender; that's genetically determined. What can happen is that some males are very late developing, or very old females can sometimes develop male characteristics, but they're not fertile, nor 'true' males.

 

[slimeneo]

Ah, I see. Thanks for clearing that up I hope they're actually female though, I'd like some fry....

 

[OldMan47]

I am going to agree with fluttermoth. That does look like a late developing male to me too.

 

[slimeneo]

Thanks! So is he not sexually mature yet because he's not fully developed (and why none of my girls are pregnant yet)?

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I'm also thinking late bloomer male. Thats how one of my guppies looked for ages before finally showing maleness.

 

[LucyB]

I have a young male platy with exactly the same shaped gonopodium - Yep, they are just late blooming males

 

[slimeneo]

Thanks guys

Haha, unfortunately that means I have 3 males and 2 females D: