Any way to sex A. heckelli?
- Thread starter Longimanus
- Start date
I think once they get larger the males have much more colour and longer fins. I had two identical bright coloured ones and one that was considerably more plain, I'm guessing it was a female?
not as obvious as other fish, but, if you are comparing a group, the males will have a nuchal hump of sorts - quite obvious once you are comparing adult fish, otherwise, vent 
There's a good article and account of spawning in the Oct 2006 issue of Cichlid News mag by Radek Bednarczuk, where it is suggested the females have a more rounded appearance, but the differences are most apparent during spawning. Sexual maturity isn't reached until 2 yrs of age by females and 3 yrs for males.
I have no idea how old this one is, it is about four inches so probably still young. Unfortunately I have nothing to compare it to as it is the only one I have.
He is recovering from a bit of cloudy eye. How do you sex by "vent"?
He is recovering from a bit of cloudy eye. How do you sex by "vent"?
My first instinct was female when I saw it, but, at 4" (half grown or less) it would be tough to say for sure. Here is a pic of a mature male. . .
Body shape, fins and behavior are the best indicators. I'm growing out a group of wild ones. Definitely have 2 males and a girl... The other who knows. I'm experimenting with a pleco cave as a spawning site. I've also heard an upside down pot with the base knocked out will work. My males only 6 in so it will be awhile
Growing out a group of 6 WC myself. Close to 4" now....not even going to try to sex them by appearances (yet) 
But check this out....you'll see a pair of heckelii at the 1:20 mark.
also explains the upside down pot trick - they are diggers
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But check this out....you'll see a pair of heckelii at the 1:20 mark.
also explains the upside down pot trick - they are diggers
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