If you would like a new world cichlid gender ID, some traits to show in your photos.

[duanes]

I would agree venting is the most accurate, especially when it comes to cichlids like Amphilophines.
I can't tell the difference when it comes to them, by any outward appearance clues.
And..... in many cases, if there isn't a male cichlid in the tank, a female cichlid will take on alpha characteristics (normally associated with males.
Take this Nandopsis haitiensus.
Here is a female, with a male housed in the tank.


but when I removed the male, her coloration and even profile changed to the look below.

Here, a male haitiensus

 

[duanes]

BYW, I couldn't find any good JD gender difference pics in my folder, so anyone with some, please post.
Below a pair of Amatitlania sajica, very obvious whose who

 

[Jexnell]

BYW, I couldn't find any good JD gender difference pics in my folder, so anyone with some, please post.
Below a pair of Amatitlania sajica, very obvious whose who

Female JD in dark breeding colors
Notice the blue starting under the eyes sweeping to the gill plates.
Same female not in breeding colors but can still see the "Blue beard"

 

[LBDave]

I would agree venting is the most accurate, especially when it comes to cichlids like Amphilophines.
I can't tell the difference when it comes to them, by any outward appearance clues.
And..... in many cases, if there isn't a male cichlid in the tank, a female cichlid will take on alpha characteristics (normally associated with males.
Take this Nandopsis haitiensus.
Here is a female, with a male housed in the tank.


but when I removed the male, her coloration and even profile changed to the look below.

Here, a male haitiensus

I would agree venting is the most accurate, especially when it comes to cichlids like Amphilophines.
I can't tell the difference when it comes to them, by any outward appearance clues.
And..... in many cases, if there isn't a male cichlid in the tank, a female cichlid will take on alpha characteristics (normally associated with males.
Take this Nandopsis haitiensus.
Here is a female, with a male housed in the tank.


but when I removed the male, her coloration and even profile changed to the look below.

Here, a male haitiensus

Wow. That is interesting.

 

[LBDave]

BYW, I couldn't find any good JD gender difference pics in my folder, so anyone with some, please post.
Below a pair of Amatitlania sajica, very obvious whose who

That's funny!

 

[Poseidon2.0]

BYW, I couldn't find any good JD gender difference pics in my folder, so anyone with some, please post.
Below a pair of Amatitlania sajica, very obvious whose who

Ha. Yeah, my Panamensis pair were pretty easy to figure out too.

 

[ryansmith83]

^ Panamius females usually have black markings in the dorsal.

 

[Poseidon2.0]

^ Panamius females usually have black markings in the dorsal.

Interesting. Mine did not really have some much black on the dorsal, though perhaps this photo shows it off better. Lots of black around her mouth and gill area and into her tail.

 

[duanes]

With this location variant of panamense, the male had small iridescent spots in the dorsal, and the female more solid color

but the female had an intermittent dark area

male below

 

[ryansmith83]

Interesting. Mine did not really have some much black on the dorsal, though perhaps this photo shows it off better. Lots of black around her mouth and gill area and into her tail.
View attachment 1365908
View attachment 1365909

This area. Notice this isn’t in the male’s dorsal.