Cichlid Vents

[bluehairman]

I have a question about vents on fish. Are the vents always down? Or most of the time is only part of the vent down? Do the vents extend more during breeding?
If the vents aren't always out all the way, how can I tell how large my fishes vent is? I see the vent, and in that are theres about 1/8" more white where it bulges a little. Could that be more of the fishes vent?

If it matters, I'm looking at a firemouth.

 

[cchhcc]

I have a question about vents on fish. Are the vents always down? Or most of the time is only part of the vent down? Do the vents extend more during breeding?
If the vents aren't always out all the way, how can I tell how large my fishes vent is? I see the vent, and in that are theres about 1/8" more white where it bulges a little. Could that be more of the fishes vent?

If it matters, I'm looking at a firemouth.

When a fish is in "swimming position" it is much easier to see their vents during breeding. The pressure of a full belly after a meal will often make it easier to see too. Experienced females (those who've laid eggs before) will show a little better than inexperienced females, and breeding females are unmistakable.

But if you want to determine the sex of your fish just hold them in the folds of a net. If the fish's "goody" is pointy and no wider than the anal pore you're looking at a male. If it is blunt and wider than the pore it's a girl.

 

[TrikkyMakk]

When a fish is in "swimming position" it is much easier to see their vents during breeding. The pressure of a full belly after a meal will often make it easier to see too. Experienced females (those who've laid eggs before) will show a little better than inexperienced females, and breeding females are unmistakable.

But if you want to determine the sex of your fish just hold them in the folds of a net. If the fish's "goody" is pointy and no wider than the anal pore you're looking at a male. If it is blunt and wider than the pore it's a girl.

By goody do you mean tube?

 

[bluehairman]

Alright, so I have an inexperienced fish, I took a look at the vent compared to the anal pore. It looks kind of blunt out of the water and is about as wide as the anal pore. But in water the vent looks pointy (side view).

 

[bluehairman]

Alright, so I have an inexperienced fish, I took a look at the vent compared to the anal pore. It looks kind of blunt out of the water and is about as wide as the anal pore. But in water the vent looks pointy (side view).

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