Sexing a keyhole ;)

[themikestro]

I have a keyhole cichlid, his(?) name is Tom. I would very much like Tom to have a keyhole playmate, he's still young and pretty small so my question is can I distinguish between the sexes while the fish are still juvenile and what are the signs? Also if I did end up with two fish of the same gender will they fight? So far he's(?) been the worlds most peaceful fish and a pleasure to watch.

Thankyou all knowing fish folk.

 

[aloaring]

Well i have two fully grown male Keyholes, when they were young couldn't tell at all what sex they were but once they get to a good size, if they are male the top and bottom fins (Sorry don't know biological terms) will become really long and pointy if male while females are more rounded and not so long. Saying that my boys get along fine Bandit is the more dominant one and will make faces and nip smokey but there is no real harm done and the majority of the time they seem to enjoy each others company. But from what i gather you can't tell the differences between the sexes when you get them when they are small! Good luck in finding a buddy for him

 

[semper fi]

fins are a good way to guesstimate the sex of fish. the only accurate way is to vent the fish.