May I ask how you can tell?
I'm still trying to figure out what to look out for.
Thanks!
Jaguar cichlid: Male or Female?
- Thread starter Galactik
- Start date
I'm still trying to figure out what to look out for.
Thanks!
Usually under the gill plate... Black spots indicates male...
Although the pics below are not Parachromis managuesnsis, they are P motaguensis, a very close cousin.
And sexual difference in both species are similar.
Here is a mature female
note above the lack of spotting on the gill plate and lower jaw.
Now below a male.
When the pair is together it is easier to spot gender differences, like the higher profiles of mature males, and more torpedo shape of females.
If the fish is not mature, these differences are obscured, and take time to develop, so trying to ascertain sex too early can be problematic.
If your aim is to spawn the fish, it is always best to start with 6 or more individuals, and let them form pairs, the more you start with the better chance of a compatible pair.
Just because you put a male and female together, doesn't mean you are good to go, managuense (all cichlids) have complicated pre-spawning rituals that determine compatibility.
To get the bonded motaguense pair above, I started with 8 young individuals, and in the selection process (as expected) the male killed a few)before settling on the female above, and below.
And sexual difference in both species are similar.
Here is a mature female
note above the lack of spotting on the gill plate and lower jaw.
Now below a male.
When the pair is together it is easier to spot gender differences, like the higher profiles of mature males, and more torpedo shape of females.
If the fish is not mature, these differences are obscured, and take time to develop, so trying to ascertain sex too early can be problematic.
If your aim is to spawn the fish, it is always best to start with 6 or more individuals, and let them form pairs, the more you start with the better chance of a compatible pair.
Just because you put a male and female together, doesn't mean you are good to go, managuense (all cichlids) have complicated pre-spawning rituals that determine compatibility.
To get the bonded motaguense pair above, I started with 8 young individuals, and in the selection process (as expected) the male killed a few)before settling on the female above, and below.
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Hi Duanes
I took your advice and managed to get 5 more Jags, but I'm currently growing them up a little on a separate container (about 60 gallons) because they were much smaller than the one I have.
(I asked a few of my lfs but the few that carried them said the would not special order them or get them bigger than 2")
Now mine has been growing like weeds and its at 4".
My question is, should I wait to introduce these guys when they are not bite size or should I roll the dice to see if he accepts any for now?
On one hand I feel like it might be better to wait, but then again, in not sure if that may contribute to getting him used to being alone and therefore less chance of accepting a potential breeding mate.
I say roll the dice but keep a eye on them... You should know within 72hrs if its gonna work or not
If they are too small at this point, they could be eaten by the larger.
You could try one as an experimental sacrificial lamb.
Just being alone a while may make it ultra territorial, but if one of the new ones is a potential mate, that might help save it.
If none are suitable as mates, it's possible nothing could save them.
You could try one as an experimental sacrificial lamb.
Just being alone a while may make it ultra territorial, but if one of the new ones is a potential mate, that might help save it.
If none are suitable as mates, it's possible nothing could save them.
past 72 hours doesn’t guarantee a thing or increase any chances of not being eaten or not
beaten
Ok so,
So far this is what I've done (not sure if it will help at all but)
I took out the bigger jag and put it in the 60 gallons to try to take his already established territories.
I moved the smaller jags into the main tank and completely rescaped the tank providing some potential hideouts or breeding grounds for them to claim.
Now, they seem to have settled in quickly and swim all over the tank. What I'm wondering is if maybe I should put a divider and put the bigger jag in there (separated) to get him used to them?
Or should I wait longer to have them get more size on them?
I realize there's probably going to be some casualties in this attempt but I'm trying to give them the best possible shot at it.
I'll post some pictures soon
Thanks all!
So far this is what I've done (not sure if it will help at all but)
I took out the bigger jag and put it in the 60 gallons to try to take his already established territories.
I moved the smaller jags into the main tank and completely rescaped the tank providing some potential hideouts or breeding grounds for them to claim.
Now, they seem to have settled in quickly and swim all over the tank. What I'm wondering is if maybe I should put a divider and put the bigger jag in there (separated) to get him used to them?
Or should I wait longer to have them get more size on them?
I realize there's probably going to be some casualties in this attempt but I'm trying to give them the best possible shot at it.
I'll post some pictures soon
Thanks all!
Bit of an update -
I decided to try introducing the bigger jag to the tank and this resulted in him inhaling 2 of the little guys before I could take him out leaving me with 3 remaining.
Obviously its either to early to be together or he/she is not accepting of anything else in that tank.
Now, of the 3 remaining small jags im not sure if perhaps 2 could be pairing up??? I'm not sure because they are so small still but it looks like 2 of them are always close to each other and seem to be guarding a corner of the tank.
I also notice the potential third wheel sporting a few missing scales while the other 2 look completely fine.
I decided to try introducing the bigger jag to the tank and this resulted in him inhaling 2 of the little guys before I could take him out leaving me with 3 remaining.
Obviously its either to early to be together or he/she is not accepting of anything else in that tank.
Now, of the 3 remaining small jags im not sure if perhaps 2 could be pairing up??? I'm not sure because they are so small still but it looks like 2 of them are always close to each other and seem to be guarding a corner of the tank.
I also notice the potential third wheel sporting a few missing scales while the other 2 look completely fine.
