Black Belt Cichlid sexing?

[Salty]

I want a black belt cichlid. A local lfs has em for 8.99 at about 2-3". Is there any way to sex them this small? and what would I look for as far as male to female characteristics, like would a male be dominating the tank? or does it not matter as far as aggressivness at this size?. There' s like 20 of them, at the lfs in the same tank. Also,are males more colorful than females?

 

[Jason_S]

I'm pretty sure there is very little difference between sexes in black belts. especially at that size they would be next to impossible to tell the difference. I would try to pick out the most dominant one in the tank, if there is one being more dominant than the others. that one most likely would be a male and that's really the only way I can think that you might be able to tell.

 

[Salty]

Thats what I figured, I thought they were a little small. When they are adult how much bigger do males get than females? and what would I look for as they got bigger, like markings, finnage, extentions etc.?

 

[Gothyc_samurai]

i had a 13inch black belt that was female...

 

[Taz2478]

if your lucky and not many fins are nipped, you might see the points for males and rounded for females. Colors dont ususally show til about 6-7" and the male is usually more colorful in the tail and red throat. In a tank of so many aggression cant really tell M or F as it might be F chasin F. I bought 6 and ended up with all females .

$9 is kind of high for 2-3" BB, especially for NY where you have access to many importers and breeders.

good luck and hope you get a tame one unless its gonna be alone.