Myloplus rubripinnis ?

[joel]

I purchased these fish awhile back. I bought 2 a time on 2 separate occasions. The first set of 2 look alike and the second set of 2 look alike. All 4 are around 5.5” do I have 2 different species of fish or could they be from 2 separate locations? Doubt the lfs I went to can provide any info.

 

[kno4te]

Same fish I believe. Not sure about different catch locations. Got males and females.

 

[joel]

Same fish I believe. Not sure about different catch locations. Got males and females.

How can you identify the sex?

 

[kno4te]

How can you identify the sex?

Shapes of the hooks. Anal fins with wavy patterns are males and straight fins are females if I remember right.

 

[joel]

Shapes of the hooks. Anal fins with wavy patterns are males and straight fins are females if I remember right.

Thank you

 

[FJB]

That's right.

You have very nice fish and they look quite healthy.
Your male (2nd, 3, and last pictures), is still not fully developed (its anal fin). It is an slightly unusual individual in that the lower portion of its anal fin ('the hook') is unusually long for a male (in most males, even full adults, it doesn't grow that long). The lobe on the upper part the fin is not fully developed as it seems the fish is not fully grown. The overall appearance is slightly atypical but it is a male anyway. Very nice fish!