Red Rainbowfish

[Themuleous]

Hi,

I'm not 100% sure if this is the right forum but I hope you can help all the same.

I recently added two red rainbowfish (Glossolepis incisus) to my main community tank and was wondering if there is any easy way of sexing them? One is almost constantly bright red/orange so is probably a male, the other however, changes from really dull brown/silver to birghter red/orange than the male! And this seems to happen on an almost daily basis.

Do you think I have two males or one of each? Or two females for that matter?

Thanks people

Sam

 

[Bloo]

As they mature, the male usually has a deeper body (chest) than the female (who's usually a lot duller / smaller / slimmer). I do however also notice colour variations (chameleon like!) almost on a daily basis too (with my males). I get the idea it depends on their mood. They are generally bright red but sometimes have the back part of the body (from the dorsal fin) in a dark band - while the front half is bright red. But then a while later all bright red again.

How large are they at the moment? Do you have a photo?

Ideally they should be in larger groups and not just two's. That said, I currently only have two males myself (the others have died over the past few years and not replaced them) and they get along great. But in essence they are very much group fish and should be kept as such.

My guess is two males

Edit: Did you add them to your 20 Gallon tank ? from your signature that tank is already quite full and overstocked. I have mine in a 48 gallon and feel that's already too small for them.