Need help sexing Goldsaum Juvi

[Saian]

Having a young Goldsaum gifted to me, is it too early to sex them at 2.5-3"? Im absolute new to Aequidens Rivulatus so not sure if i can tell already. Im from Europe but since this fish isnt too common where i live i thought maybe you guys can help me here.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MarvGT]

I would say female due to the overall darker colouration and absence of elongated dorsal fin. The orange band on tail fin is quite thick which is usually a characteristic found in males but could be female and showing signs of dominance. This is quite common if a female GT is kept in a tank without a male.

Hard to see clearly but looks like her egg tube has dropped also. It is possible that the characteristics become clearer as the fish matures. Watch out for thick blue spangles on face. Males are pretty easy to distinguish when they mature as they have a brighter colouration, long dorsal and anal fins and usually develop a nuchal hump. Here’s a pic off line which shows you the difference:

Female foreground male back.

 

[Rocksor]

I say it's too small to definitely tell. The blue spangles in the dorsal, tail, and anal fins are more definite trait in a male GT. I've seen confirmed female GTs will pointed dorsal and anal fins as well as a nuchal hump so I dismiss those as tell tale signs for sexing of SA and CA cichlids. Blue smearing in the lower jaw is a good indication of a female (I haven't seen this in males yet, and it's always possible a female may not have this).

 

[Saian]

Thank you both, from what Size can you usually tell for sure? I'd like to have a pair, and already scouted some shops here in Switzerland. Seems that only one sell them and the max. Size there is 10cm(4"). I dont want to have them in a too big Size difference for the Start since i experienced from other Cichlids that they can be quite aggressive towards way smaller Partners.

 

[Rocksor]

Thank you both, from what Size can you usually tell for sure? I'd like to have a pair, and already scouted some shops here in Switzerland. Seems that only one sell them and the max. Size there is 10cm(4"). I dont want to have them in a too big Size difference for the Start since i experienced from other Cichlids that they can be quite aggressive towards way smaller Partners.

It's best to get many and let them pair naturally (like a total of 8+), removing the unwanted GTs later.

 

[Saian]

Thanks a lot. Just ordered 10 juvis, lets hope it works out

 

[maxstillen]

That one looks female for sure. You can tell from the thick green bearding on under the cheeks and the darker fins. Males usually have bright blue dots and spangles in the fins and body. Also that last picture of the vent says female.