Questions about Crenicichla cf Lugubris Tocantins

[koltsixx]

I recently ordered and am expecting delivery tomorrow, what's supposed to be a male and female pair of Tocantins. Now admittedly I'm no expert in pikes especially when it comes to sexing but I thought Tocantins was just a color form(hence the cf in it's name) of Lugubris and as such could be sexed the same way. From my understanding Lugubris can be sexed by a white stripe along the dorsal fin which should only be present in females while males should lack the stripe and be generally duller in color. Now upon asking the seller if that was the case with this pair I was told no, that males are just duller in coloration and females have a pink belly and that both sexes have the white stripe and the 2 fish I would be getting would have a white dorsal stripe.

My questions are am I incorrect about how to sex the Tocantins?

Is there any other way to sex pike cichlids, such as venting?

Thank in advance for any help, opinions you guys can supply.

 

[freebyrd]

Everything you mentioned seems spot on. Females have a pink belly, and a lot of the time have a more prominent white stripe in the dorsal. Ive seen what I thought were two males and seen one lay eggs. Those were C. Lenticulata

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[koltsixx]

Thanks man, much appreciated. I've never kept pikes before and while I did read up on them a lot, I wanted to make sure that the info. was correct.

Do you know if Crenichla can be sexed using venting as a more definitive means? I just don't want to think I've got a pair and really don't. Again thanks.

 

[freebyrd]

Yeah venting is the only sure fire way to sex them. Pikes are best 'paired' by growing out a group and letting pair off naturally. I know what you mean tho...I always go for a m+f duo myself

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[koltsixx]

Yeah venting is the only sure fire way to sex them. Pikes are best 'paired' by growing out a group and letting pair off naturally. I know what you mean tho...I always go for a m+f duo myself

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Thanks again, much appreciated. I agree on the pairing but when your talking Lugubris prices it can be an expensive propositions. As for the M+F duo I'm keeping my fingers crossed but I think the 2 I just received are 2 females despite being sold as a pair. I'll post some pics and vid in a separate thread in a bit.