Sexing convicts

[Skeeter84]

First off sorry if this is repetitive.... I have a couple of questions for you guys that know your cichlids. I have 2 convict cichlids. I have only had them for a couple of weeks. I couldnt find a clear way on the internet to sex them.. maybe someone could help me. Both of them have red patches on their bellies, gold / blue fins. One of them is slightly larger, and has darker black stripes. The small ones colors are slightly duller. Do the red patches on the bellies and gold / blue fins exist on both males and females?, or do I have two of the same sex?
Additionally, they have always kindof avoided eachother, the big one chases the smaller one away every once in a while. However, for the past day or so they have been latching and chewing on eachothers mouths, and doing that spinning nipping dance. Are they fighting or doing a mating ritual? Thanks in advance!

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

I'm going to say that the one with duller stripes is the male. Because my females colors are amazing during breeding, compared to my males which are a lot duller.

Males and females can have the patch so yeah. I'm thinking your duller colored one is the male, other one is a female. It could be possible that you have to females, but I highly agree with my answer.

[Acer]

do you have fry or just eggs?

[Skeeter84]

I dont have either at the moment, and i hope i never do. From what ive been reading, the female convicts have the red bellies?????? They both have red bellies. Most of the day they just chase eachother out of their own little areas, and avoid eachother. But in the morning when i turn on the light, they had dug little ditches and follow eachother around all morning, doing little spins around eachother. Do only breeding pairs do these types of things together?

[Acer]

ive "read" about females laying eggs together the results of coarse are fungused eggs as thsy will be infertile... ya i hope for ur sake they dont... i personally dont like convicts.. sometimes they arent exaclty ideal community residents. i prefer not keep honduran red points. they are more of a "rare" convict reletive.. they stay a little smaller, are alot more peacefull and are a lot more prettier. and as a plus can be easier to place than ur way too common convict. they are like the guppies of cichlids imo

[Skeeter84]

Thanks for your replies. Ive only had these guys for about 2-3 weeks now. Everyday they look more and more alike. From what ive seen, the males have less coloration and the head bump. Both of mine have red, gold and blue in them, and for the most part are making their own little caves. *knock on wood*.... im about to put my new diy caves in there, well see what happens.

[Sicklid]

It sounds like you have two females... my males have never shown a red belly and if you DID have a male and a female, there would be a pit dug already and you would be blessed with a batch of fry by now.

The last time I brought cons home, they literally began the courtship process within five minutes of being released from the plastic bag... Seriously, this is no exaggeration.

[kribensis12]

Males are almost always bigger. They are less colorful. The females will have an orange/yellow botch on thier sides and a bright blue gill plate.

[Skeeter84]

Awesome. I was getting worried. Guess well see what happens

[Liquid_Pyro]

Speaking of convicts at which size or age are they able to start reproducing?