Help sexing mature honey gourami

[GouramiLover]

I believed I had properly sexed my pair of honey gouramis, however the more they mature the less sure I am (which is odd, I know)

Here is what I believe to be the male:


Here is what I believe to be the female:



Both are currently in their dark bronze and black spawning colors right now and both are building a bubble nest, one more successfully than the other (the supposed male is doing better).

What I believe to be the male once had a true point to his dorsal fin, but it was nipped off and never became pointed again.

Any advice would be great!

 

[henningc]

It is hard to say as the first photo the fish is turned. I think based on what I see you have two females. The anal fins are rounded and that is the indicator.

Sorry nobody got back to you sooner

 

[GouramiLover]

thanks for replying. Is it normal for females to build the bubble nest? I thought only males did that.

 

[twiddlemuffin]

It is hard to say as the first photo the fish is turned. I think based on what I see you have two females. The anal fins are rounded and that is the indicator.

Sorry nobody got back to you sooner

+1 I also see two females. I'm unsure about the nest.

 

[ArtistGardener]

I agree; they look like my two girls. Yes, mine make some rather unimpressive bubble nests. They also will swim around each other in a ying/yang shape, courting. I think since there is no male present they are just following nature's callings.

 

[GouramiLover]

I agree; they look like my two girls. Yes, mine make some rather unimpressive bubble nests. They also will swim around each other in a ying/yang shape, courting. I think since there is no male present they are just following nature's callings.

That makes a lot of sense now that you say that. The bubble nests they have made in the past have been poor in quality. It seemed no matter how much I reduced the water movement or I increased the humidity the nest would pop and disappear. And they would wrap but no eggs would ever drop....

I guess I will stop getting excited to see babies lol.

Thanks everyone for the replies!