Dimidiochromis Compressiceps sexing???

[danotaylor]

They're one of the meanest, DEFINITELY. But what other African species would you put to be in the same level as them?

Zebra family. Also very mean

 

[duanes]

One of the ways to determine compressiceps from the other species in Dimidichromis, is that the other species have 3 horizonatl bands imstead of 2.

 

[Pyluper]

One of the ways to determine compressiceps from the other species in Dimidichromis, is that the other species have 3 horizonatl bands imstead of 2.

Wow, never know that. That's a great tip.

 

[tiger15]

At what size can we tell the Malawi Eyebiter's sex? And at what size do the male start colouring up?

Hard to tell. Some male Hap will not color out at large size if it is not in dominant position. I bought my D Compressesep at 2 inch size showing male coloration, but lost color soon after settling in my tank. Now at 8 inch still isn’t coloring up much. There is a big male Moori dominating over the compressep, so I wonder if subordinate position could delay coloration or the initial coloration was induced by hormone.

 

[Pyluper]

Hard to tell. Some male Hap will not color out at large size if it is not in dominant position. I bought my D Compressesep at 2 inch size showing male coloration, but lost color soon after settling in my tank. Now at 8 inch still isn’t coloring up much. There is a big male Moori dominating over the compressep, so I wonder if subordinate position could delay coloration or the initial coloration was induced

The hierarchy position in the tank definitely plays the part.

 

[tiger15]

It looks like a dimi comp, but that will become more apparent as it matures. Oh and congrats, it's a boy!

A general rule in venting a small hole small hole oo = male, some species the vent hole is slightly triangulated like your comp. Small hole bigger hole oO = female with the vent being donut shaped which becomes more pronounced after the fish starts spawning

I just vented my 8 inch D. compressep, and it looks like a male. Do you agree? I know the fish was hormones when I bought it as juvie as many whole sellers do to large haps to promote sale. But at 8 inch, it still has not colored up and I wonder if it will ever.

 

[danotaylor]

The vent looks ever so slightly larger than the poop hole which would be female. Can you post a lateral in tank shot?

 

[tiger15]

The vent looks ever so slightly larger than the poop hole which would be female. Can you post a lateral in tank shot?

2 posts above #24 is a lateral shot of the fish. When I bought the fish as a juvie, it displayed male coloration due to hormone treatment. I’m wondering if hormone treatment could have sterilized the fish preventing it to mature sexually. I have also known hormone treatment has turned female temporarily into male. If it were a female, I would assume the big male Moori would attempt to mate with her. The Moori is the only other hap in the tank that has been picking on the compressep.