Hi all , I have had my cuban for about 14 months now , it was about 5 cm when I got it and now is about 15 cm and is alone in a 240 litter tank . Just wanting some thoughts on the sex of it , thanks 
My cuban
- Thread starter Deadly14
- Start date
It's a bit hard to tell from the photo, because the dorsal fin is folded down. And since it is alone, it may not show specific traits. But here are a pair I had to compare. Females usually have a dark, solid color area in the dorsal, and are very torpedo shaped.
Males tend to have a steeper profile, and the dorsal doesn't have the solid dark coloration, below.
these traits are often blurred without another of the species in the tank.
Males tend to have a steeper profile, and the dorsal doesn't have the solid dark coloration, below.
these traits are often blurred without another of the species in the tank.
Sometimes when females are kept alone, they will take on very dominant traits that would lead you to believe they are male. They might also take on a very alpha attitude, so be careful when adding any new Cubans.
Any new fish will be at a distinct disadvantage, because he/she, owns the entire tank at this point.
If it were me, I would not add just 1, I'd try to add 3 or more. And expect to lose all but 1of the new arrivals, be they male or female.
To give an example, below is a female Nandopsis haitiensus, with very male traits.
She is the closest cichlid cousin to your Nandopsis tetracanthus.
When she had a male in the tank she accepted as a mate, she looked like this, below.
Any new fish will be at a distinct disadvantage, because he/she, owns the entire tank at this point.
If it were me, I would not add just 1, I'd try to add 3 or more. And expect to lose all but 1of the new arrivals, be they male or female.
To give an example, below is a female Nandopsis haitiensus, with very male traits.
She is the closest cichlid cousin to your Nandopsis tetracanthus.
When she had a male in the tank she accepted as a mate, she looked like this, below.
The thing is I wanted to have only one cuban in my tank, but I wanted it to be a male as they grow larger and have better colour , so I guess it would be unfair to get more just to discard them after I find out if mine is a male or not , I love the pics of the haitiensus I don't think we can get them in Australia unfortunately
