Help! Which Fathead is Female?

[JackieFisher]

Hi All,
I would like to use some expertise on the gender of these fathead minnows. I am trying to observe the breeding behaviour for a school project. I have one that is surely male, and not sure if these are females. They are not breeding after months.
Thanks!

 

[d033ie]

Found this online, hope it helps.
Sexing: Males develop a fatty growth on the head, hence Fathead minnow. They also develop pronounced tubercles on their heads at spawning time and naturally coloured males develop vertical stripes at the same time.

 

[JackieFisher]

Found this online, hope it helps.
Sexing: Males develop a fatty growth on the head, hence Fathead minnow. They also develop pronounced tubercles on their heads at spawning time and naturally coloured males develop vertical stripes at the same time.

I am aware of this, this only happens with a breeding male. Non-breeding males look not that different from females, hence the difficulty. They are not breeding after a long time, and I am not sure of the sex

 

[d033ie]

So what's the total count you have, also do you have caves in you're tank. They been known to spawn in hidden areas.

 

[d033ie]

Groups of six or more would also encourage breeding behaviors.

 

[JackieFisher]

So what's the total count you have, also do you have caves in you're tank. They been known to spawn in hidden areas.

Six total, three caves because i suspect there are three males

 

[JackieFisher]

Right now at least one male has developed breeding tubercles and dark pattern, but it is unstable and goes away occasionally.
I am not sure those “females “ are actually males instead.
They are kind also territorial . One “female” would fight for caves.
every fish including obvious males have a little “ovipositor “like protrusion don under.
Not sure if i should persist. There are tons of fun fish to have