how do you sex a cichlid?

[animalzrok2]

how do you sex a cichlid? i can't seem to figure out what gender my texas is.

 

[kelbaker79]

http://www.malawimayhem.com/articles_venting.shtml

 

[animalzrok2]

does it hurt them? do you just pick them up upside down in a net and hold them still with your hands?

 

[Malawi Freak]

Yeah. Be prepared to drop them a few times cause boy do they wiggle. Many like to gently hold the dorsal fin to help keep them steady. I like to hold mine either just over a net or over the top of the tank in case they wiggle loose.

oO is female and oo male.

 

[kelbaker79]

does it hurt them? do you just pick them up upside down in a net and hold them still with your hands?

No, it doesn't hurt them

 

[animalzrok2]

this may be a stupid question but will they bite you in the process?

 

[toddnbecka]

Only of you let them...

 

[jetajockey]

If you have a large net then you can hold them in the net (use your hands on the outside of the net to hold them in place). Or just use a towel, you don't want to drop one.

 

[Cjm825]

You can just take them out it won't hurt them male gas 2 small dots and female has a big dot and a little dot just infront of the anal fin. They will be fine but you will drop them a few times till you get used to it just be gentle.

 

[joel618]

this may be a stupid question but will they bite you in the process?

Mine bite me every time my hands are in the tank. They are only 3-4 inches though. Doesn't really hurt.

 

[animalzrok2]

Mine bite me every time my hands are in the tank. They are only 3-4 inches though. Doesn't really hurt.

i know but im kinda scared of my texas. lol. he shredded one of my plastic plants!