How To Sex Hoplias Malabaricus?

[Taker]

I read that:

Male
-slender
-longer snout
-higher dorsal fin

Female
-with a more rounded look at the belly
-shorter or rounded snout
-shorter dorsal fin


Are these reliable? What about colour and body pattern? I see some are lighter while others are darker and even with black stripes.

Another question is if both end up to be males or females are they going to fight?

 

[Zeke]

That's all I know, unless you x-ray the adult fish. I have had them fight constantly and to not fight and get along well with the other fish of the same sex. Depends on the individual fish really. My females were fatter for sure, darker, and a shorter face/head. Bigger also on average.

 

[BRUNER247]

Idt color can be a factor. Some days mine are light, some days dark. I think coloration is more in lines of mood or what they're doing & sub/background colors. I'm a firm believer in the slender/ males, thicker,rounded/females. I think the females grow at a faster rate also.