How to tell the difference in female Malawi cichlids ?

[Baileybass]

Hello , I'm new to cichlids and was wondering if there is any way possible to identify between different female Malawi cichlids ? I have a bunch of dif males as well as females but have no clue what female species I have . Is it possible or not to figure out what females I have . Thanks for the info !!!!

 

[duanes]

Depends on what species, without knowing what they are isn't a great option.
There are a few things that may or may not work.
Many males have eggs spots on the anal fin, while females don't, the egg spot enduce the females to try to pick them up, allowing the male to get sperm to the eggs in the females mouth.
Another trait is some males are more colorful, and with some species the males are a different color than females.
Here is a male Nimbochromis livingstoni, note the yellow on the anal fin, that resembles yellow eggs

Now an immature male, this is the color females keep, but you can also see the egg spots better in this shot

 

[Baileybass]

Depends on what species, without knowing what they are isn't a great option.
There are a few things that may or may not work.
Many males have eggs spots on the anal fin, while females don't, the egg spot enduce the females to try to pick them up, allowing the male to get sperm to the eggs in the females mouth.
Another trait is some males are more colorful, and with some species the males are a different color than females.
Here is a male Nimbochromis livingstoni, note the yellow on the anal fin, that resembles yellow eggs

Now an immature male, this is the color females keep, but you can also see the egg spots better in this shot

Thanks for the reply ! I'm pretty sure I know which ones are males , although some don't have color yet but have some egg spots . But as far as females go I can't determine what species they are . I'm pretty sure I have a couple electric blue females but the others I'm having trouble with . Maybe I'll try and get some pics to post !

 

[Baileybass]

Thanks for the reply ! I'm pretty sure I know which ones are males , although some don't have color yet but have some egg spots . But as far as females go I can't determine what species they are . I'm pretty sure I have a couple electric blue females but the others I'm having trouble with . MaybeI'll try and get some pics to post !

Here are a few pics of some " possible females " not sure what species

 

[joe jaskot]

First off, many female Malawian cichlids have egg spots. So you can't use egg spots in determining sex. As to identifying what species the females are, good luck. It is very difficult. Many of them look the same. From the pictures you have female copadichromis species and female peacocks. You may also have some hybrids (I see a male hybrid OB peacock).

 

[Baileybass]

Ya I wasn't trying to post male pic but they make their way into the pic haha

 

[MGfishtanks]

Hello , I'm new to cichlids and was wondering if there is any way possible to identify between different female Malawi cichlids ? I have a bunch of dif males as well as females but have no clue what female species I have . Is it possible or not to figure out what females I have . Thanks for the info !!!!

the females fins are not as pointed at the ends. the males pectoral fins are more swept back. the females will also be more pale and less dominant.