Male or female Vieja?

[Kevin@TUIC]

The large, round, 'pencil eraser' - shaped ovipositor

 

[danotaylor]

Whilst yielding to Kevin’s greater experience w new world cichlids, I still think it’s a male. Especially after seeing the in tank shots. I guess we’ll see what happens with other veija, whether it harasses it into spawning or beats it to death cause it’s a rival male

 

[neutrino]

Agree with Kevin. Side view can be misleading/misinterpreted in some species until a female gets closer to actually spawning. The male's treatment of the other fish doesn't in itself always indicate the sex of the other fish, males even in successful pairs are sometimes aggressive toward the female, not to mention adding a random female that a male may or may not accept.

 

[danotaylor]

Agree with Kevin. Side view can be misleading/misinterpreted in some species until a female gets closer to actually spawning. The male's treatment of the other fish doesn't in itself always indicate the sex of the other fish, males even in successful pairs are sometimes aggressive toward the female, not to mention adding a random female that a male may or may not accept.

Agreed, many new world blokes beat their chicks to death, as well as their rivals LOL
On the 2 in focus pics the OP posted the distinct triangulation is what lead me to call it male. I have never claimed more than 50/50 accuracy in my calls

 

[sujay313]

I'm in a weird predicament where my big male Vieja has somehow paired with a dainty little geophagus tapajos. Idk how that's even possible. I was hoping he'd pair up with a female vieja. Looks like that won't happen, he instead keeps chasing the other vieja into hiding

 

[danotaylor]

Some blokes like em dainty, some beefy
How many other veija do you have in the mix? It seems your set up is geared more towards a display. Any breeding activity in there is likely gonna result in carnage. If your goal is breeding your veija, perhaps you should establish a suitable single species environment for them?

 

[sujay313]

Some blokes like em dainty, some beefy
How many other veija do you have in the mix? It seems your set up is geared more towards a display. Any breeding activity in there is likely gonna result in carnage. If your goal is breeding your veija, perhaps you should establish a suitable single species environment for them?

I just have the 2 viejas for now. Among a few geos and acara. I was hoping the big guys gets along with the female (?) , but looks like that's not gonna happen. I'll probably observe for another week and return it. There's a hiding space, so the little one is able to avoid any major damage for now.

 

[sujay313]

He/she hides behind those rocks. Only comes out during feeding.