Green Terror Sex?

[Zhen-Jou]

Hi all, long time browser here, just wanted to know your opinions on the sex of my 6 inch green terror. I know there are many posts on the matter but it's difficult to find a definitive answer as it keeps changing its colours
It's currently living in a 55g tank and has been in there all its life (it's about 1 yr old). Diet consists of hikari gold and excel with occasional treats of bloodworms. Pictures are below, sorry for the long post and the crappy cell pics. Thanks in advance!

 

[Zhen-Jou]

Then there are times it'll look like this

 

[tlindsey]

Then there are times it'll look like this

View attachment 1379070View attachment 1379071

Welcome aboard
MrsE88
Jexnell

 

[Audaxcity]

Kinda hard to tell. Female gold saum seem to have more solid blue iridescence on the face similar to female JDs, so in that respect it looks male. But that isn't a 100% reliable indicator so I'm not sure. Although I think GTs generally start getting nuchal humps at around the 6 inch mark, so you could watch for that.

 

[Zhen-Jou]

Thanks for your reply. Trying to know what your baby fish will grow into, that's part of the fun, isn't it? Anyway, I'm still hoping it'll turn into a stunner one day!

 

[MrsE88]

Welcome!

I’d just be guessing right now.
Male or female it is very pale, or maybe it’s just the light washing the color out?
It’s a nice saum, but it looks like it’s being picked on.

 

[Zhen-Jou]

Thanks!!

Hmmm I've never considered that possibility before, considering its the largest fish in the tank and its tankmates are a 5 inch D. Compressiceps, a couple of Bichirs, a ropefish and a spotted raphael catfish (plus a couple of 2 inch gold Severums and a 3 inch M. Argentea that I'm growing out atm) but I'll definitely pay close attention to it just in case it's getting picked on

 

[Audaxcity]

I think the pale colouration is more likely due to the tank. A black background, darker substrate, some plants, and less natural lighting could make him/her brighten up significantly. Water quality may also be a factor, as it looks like your GT is being kept with some africans like that Yellow Lab and the Eyebiter. Whats your pH?

 

[Zhen-Jou]

My pH is 7.4. The yellow lab is the sole survivor from my old African cichlid tank which I lost through a power outage and the eye biter which was an impulse buy has been in there since it was a baby.

What kind of light would you suggest as the current light is just a regular fluorescent white light?

 

[Audaxcity]

Oh no, I was referring to the ambient lighting already in the room. I find that darker rooms where most of the lighting comes from the tank itself seem to make fish look more vibrant. Though I suppose it would be difficult to make such changes.

Experiment with the angle of your lighting. It can make a noticeable difference I find.

Regarding your question, I'm afraid I'm not very knowledgeable in lighting. Although I would say that my favourites are usually LEDs. I'm currently using Fluval LEDs. Can't remember the specifications or even the model, but I don't they're available anymore. The nice thing about their lighting is that you can adjust the colour and spectrum of the lighting. I know some spectrums help enhance colours but I don't know which ones.

Food can be important too. What are you feeding?