Festae sexing?
- Thread starter Jonnycichlid6
- Start date
To me it looks female.
The black notch in the dorsal, and the torpedo shaped head "usually" mean female.
Here are examples of what I mean,
both females
now a male, note the much more dramatic slope of the head.
also the lack of melanin in the dorsal
The black notch in the dorsal, and the torpedo shaped head "usually" mean female.
Here are examples of what I mean,
both females
now a male, note the much more dramatic slope of the head.
also the lack of melanin in the dorsal
One caveat to what I previously posted, because I noticed the other cichlids in the tank.
If any of the others are male, and are more dominant than the festae, it is possible for a male festae to adapt some female colors, and even a more female profile.
It is very common for subordinate male cichlids to often mimic females as a sort of protective measure, to guard against being attacked by the most alpha individual. It doesn't matter if they are different species or not, or if they are actually being attacked, it is an instinctual reaction to the alpha presence, which becomes more intense in the confines of an aquarium.
I have had species that I was convinced were female, once the alpha was removed or died, change appearance drastically to an alpha profile over night.
If any of the others are male, and are more dominant than the festae, it is possible for a male festae to adapt some female colors, and even a more female profile.
It is very common for subordinate male cichlids to often mimic females as a sort of protective measure, to guard against being attacked by the most alpha individual. It doesn't matter if they are different species or not, or if they are actually being attacked, it is an instinctual reaction to the alpha presence, which becomes more intense in the confines of an aquarium.
I have had species that I was convinced were female, once the alpha was removed or died, change appearance drastically to an alpha profile over night.
