Sexing Firemouth (pics included)

[karate626]

I have a male Firemouth cichlid and want to create a breeding pair. I bought another one (affectionately named Clo) but am not sure what sex it is. Can anybody tell me what gender you think Clo is? I think Clo may still be a juvenile. How old/large must firemouths be before they are sexually mature? I have had convicts breed the same size Clo is but I know they are the rabbits of the fish world. Clo is about 1 & 1/4 an inch. Here are some pictures her (hopefully ). I know they are bad quality but I hope they will work! I took the fish out of the tank to take closer pics but then it's colors faded.

Thanks!

TJ

 

[karate626]

Here are some clear pics! I will add more later. She is so hard to photograph! Thanks!

 

[DragonFish71]

Honestly, and this is coming from someone who actually breeds them, they are darn close to impossible to sex at a young age. Color doesn't come into play until they are older, fin size/shape isn't a very good indicator either. Our breeding pair have the same fins, both have long, flowing to a nice tapered point on the anal fin and dorsal fin. Both have blues, greens, reds and muted stripes. Both have fire red stomachs. Both have attitude (though I think the female might be a bit more aggressive these days)The only difference is that she is smaller than him. This is a 3 year old pair. We have tons of fry, some just short of a year old and there's no telling who is who.

Also, it is even harder to tell anything from pictures.


Ours were about the same size as yours, that put them at just about a year. They didn't show any attraction towards each other until they were 2, and now we have tanks of fry.

 

[karate626]

Thanks for the reply! I came to the same conclusion about them being hard to sex. I can sex Convicts and JD's but they are easy. I took some more pictures. Some include the vent which may help. There are two of the same fish in several because of the reflection. How old do you think Clo is? I hope she is a female and will me sexually mature soon! I'm keeping her in another tank until she is a little larger (and older) before introducing her to my 5 inch male.

Thanks!
TJ