Geophagus sp. red head tapajos sexing : Can you do it ?

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DuconLajoie

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 7, 2010
14
0
0
47
Switzerland
Dear MonsterFishKeepers,
I call upon your collective wisdom to help me sex these two fine individuals. They were sold to me as a couple but they both seem male to me...:confused:
Could you also explain all the distinctive features you are able recognize to determine if they are male or female ?

IMG_3291.jpg

IMG_3292.jpg
 
IME OHs are very hard to sex when they are young. When they hit about 4", males would develop fin extensions earlier and faster (particularly on pelvic fins). You may be able to see a difference for a few weeks until the females catch on, at which point they look similar again. Eventually, however, males would be much bigger (up to 8") than females (5-6") with a steeper head shape.

They are very easy to vent though.
 
Thank you peat for enlightening me. I bought only a couple as it was all they had in the store... they fight a little but they have enough room as they share a 450L tank. There is an invisible line in the middle of the tank witch separates their territories. For the time being the female fights back, but I fear that as they grow older the male will get more aggressive. Do you think I should add a few more individuals ? Would this diffuse the situation or escalate territorial disputes ? What in your opinion would be the optimal choice: to add females only , male/female combo, and how many ?
 
DuconLajoie;4887168; said:
Thank you peat for enlightening me. I bought only a couple as it was all they had in the store... they fight a little but they have enough room as they share a 450L tank. There is an invisible line in the middle of the tank witch separates their territories. For the time being the female fights back, but I fear that as they grow older the male will get more aggressive. Do you think I should add a few more individuals ? Would this diffuse the situation or escalate territorial disputes ? What in your opinion would be the optimal choice: to add females only , male/female combo, and how many ?
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I think it's better to grow out a group of 6-8 young fish (both sexes). IME they will chase quite a bit when young but eventually settle down when they are close to maturity, and having a group would at least make sure nobody gets seriously hurt. The dominant pair will emerge when they are ready and claim a spawning site. If the tank is big enough you can leave everybody in there, or you can remove the rest. Once they start breeding, they are generally pretty happy as a pair.
 
peathenster;4887257; said:
I think it's better to grow out a group of 6-8 young fish (both sexes). IME they will chase quite a bit when young but eventually settle down when they are close to maturity, and having a group would at least make sure nobody gets seriously hurt. The dominant pair will emerge when they are ready and claim a spawning site. If the tank is big enough you can leave everybody in there, or you can remove the rest. Once they start breeding, they are generally pretty happy as a pair.
Click to expand...

So you are saying that I should add at least 4 more. Do you think it would be a problem if they are a bit smaller than the ones I already have ?
 
DuconLajoie;4887305; said:
So you are saying that I should add at least 4 more. Do you think it would be a problem if they are a bit smaller than the ones I already have ?
Click to expand...

I think the tank is big enough that 6 can live comfortably in there for a while. I have kept adults with juvies less than half of their size and it went well, but it could be a problem if the new fish are "a bit smaller".....I'd say give it a try and see what happens. The good thing is that they usually don't kill each other overnight.
 
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