Thinking of picking up a Red Devil and I have some questions.

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pelleeklund

pelleeklund

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
May 23, 2009
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Pennsylvania
I was looking at some fairly large Red Devils in my local store the other day (anywhere from 5-8in.) and I might go and pick one up this week. I was curious if there were any tricks to sex these fish without venting them. I know the males have humps and should have more pointy fins but these fish don't seem to differ enough for my untrained eye. Is there any secrets that could give me an edge on getting the female I'm looking for? I appreciate any help/
 
Females are just as likely to grow a nuchal hump and have long pointy fins as males. The only way to accurately sex these guys is to vent them.
 
rrcoolj said:
Females are just as likely to grow a nuchal hump and have long pointy fins as males. The only way to accurately sex these guys is to vent them.
Click to expand...

Yep
I ran a local petlands fish dept for about 3months.
A guy donated a 10" RD that I swore was a male, the thing had a big ole knot.
Once it got comfortable (3-4days)
HER tube dropped down& surprised the... outta me

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Wow, that complicates things. I may have to just hope for the best I guess. I can only assume the shipment came together since there is about 6 fish relatively the same size. So I guess if I can't see any tubes or other breeding junk I will just go with the smallest and dullest one I can pick? Maybe I can get one of the employees to vent it, that would be tip worthy.
 
I don't think the dullness of color would be a factor either.
Watch them for awhile - maybe two of them will get along better. ie- the dominate one will have more patient with one of the others.
Pull that one out& take a look at it's whoo whoo.
If you have any doubts, then pull the dominant one out& compare vents.

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A female with the size that you mention, should have a dark blotch (spot) at the top of her dorsal fin, also female are usually a little more compact (stubby) that males, males are usually longer... Also males at that size more often then not, show more blue speckles in the tail fin.
 
Oops, sorry disreguard my statement, I misread your title, you are talking about Red Devils, not Red Terrors, oops, lol...
 
Your best guess might be to observe the tank closely,tubes/junk at that size should be visible.the body shapes will be slightly different as another post mentioned

from cel
 
Both sexes can have similar traits like Nuchal Humps and trailers. Your best bet is to ask the store if they would let you vent them. If you have the extra space you could also get several juveniles and grow them out. Then you would more than likely end up with a female or even a breeding pair. Good luck!
 
Thanks as usual guys. Good information. I will give it a go tonight and post a shot of the one I pick. Then you all can be the first to laugh at me if I screw it up. Gruff I would usually do what your saying and grow a few out, but this fish is going in my 220 with the Dempsey and the Jag so it has to be ready to go pro. Both of those guys are male so I may have a problem if I add another to the party. Take it easy on me if I blow this guys, I'm going to try hard.
 
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