Male and Female firemouths?

[klmt]

I just got 2 new firemouths, both about an 1.25" one a bit bigger than the other. The smaller one seems to want to hand around with the larger one, like he follows him/her around, but then gets chased about 5 inches away. The bigger one will chase him away, and blow out his red gills. They hang out together, just with a bit of space. Does a male act this way towards anothe male, or is this nothing. I know it is extremely difficult to sex them at this age, so can you tell hteir sex, by their actions? If so what does their interactions mean, and what should i look for? Thanks P.S. If pictures would help just ask.

 

[giantstargazer]

I just got 2 new firemouths, both about an 1.25" one a bit bigger than the other. The smaller one seems to want to hand around with the larger one, like he follows him/her around, but then gets chased about 5 inches away. The bigger one will chase him away, and blow out his red gills. They hang out together, just with a bit of space. Does a male act this way towards anothe male, or is this nothing. I know it is extremely difficult to sex them at this age, so can you tell hteir sex, by their actions? If so what does their interactions mean, and what should i look for? Thanks P.S. If pictures would help just ask.

At this age, they are probably not sexually mature. The smaller one could simply be wanting to play. How big is the aquarium? And pictures would help, if possible.

 

[klmt]

the aquarium is a 45 hex. ill try te get pics. hold on

 

[Onion01]

they are probably too small to breed, but check if they have their breeding tubes down just in case

 

[klmt]

what is that? lol

 

[jasonmac978]

The little white things that stick out of their pubic area.

 

[klmt]

my stupid computer will not let me load up pics still, i tried for a while last night, but anyways, is it true that only male firemouths can blow out their red gills?

 

[japes]

my stupid computer will not let me load up pics still, i tried for a while last night, but anyways, is it true that only male firemouths can blow out their red gills?

Nope, both sexes will do it.

 

[klmt]

japes, cool avatar

 

[klmt]

i think that since my FMs are immature, the bigger one is picking on the littler one a bit because he/she is just bigger and because it can. now i am noticing , he/she acts the same way ttowards all of the other fish.