L600 Sex

[CarnivorousCarnivore]

Long time reader, decided to put these up for opinion as I’m stumped!

Both fish are 25-27cm
Fish 1 is the one that caves and is the aggressor

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[phreeflow]

Looks like you got a pair! Based on head shape alone, I’m nearly certain that fish number 1 is a male. Fish 2 is a bit tougher but it looks female to me.

 

[CarnivorousCarnivore]

Looks like you got a pair! Based on head shape alone, I’m nearly certain that fish number 1 is a male. Fish 2 is a bit tougher but it looks female to me.

Thanks! Here’s to hoping, the confusing part is that fish number 2 is the aggressor and caves very frequently

 

[phreeflow]

Thanks! Here’s to hoping, the confusing part is that fish number 2 is the aggressor and caves very frequently

If there are a lot of empty caves, females will cave also. Usually the male aggressively defends its particular cave from other males. However, when females want to breed, they will try to forcefully enter a male’s cave.

Some people say males “trap” the females to spawn but in my experience, ready females are the aggressors and will push their way in a males cave, sometimes very persistently to the point that it looks like aggression.

Can you describe the aggression and when it happens? Also, does the female often visit the males cave and either sit on top or next to the cave?