Sexing Heros severus

[always4lora]

I have have 2 Heros Severus's , sold as a bonded pair however i just wanted to check the sex because after reading online females do not have the spotting around the mouth yet both of mine do, although one has a long fin underneath at the back and the other is shorter.

Excuse the quality of pics, taken with my phone.

 

[Kanta]

The 3rd pic looks male to me, sevs are super hard to sex. The only way ive really been able to sex them was by body shape and by venting. Males and females are almost identical.

 

[ryansmith83]

I've seen males and females with the spotting. I also heard that males would have more red striation on their sides but my pair has the same amount. I couldn't tell them apart until they spawned and I saw which fish laid eggs. They are mostly identical in appearance.

 

[always4lora]

I've seen males and females with the spotting. I also heard that males would have more red striation on their sides but my pair has the same amount. I couldn't tell them apart until they spawned and I saw which fish laid eggs. They are mostly identical in appearance.

Thats good to know, theyre always with each other which is a good sign, as these are mouth brooders doubt i'll see the eggs.

 

[ryansmith83]

They don't pick up the eggs; they pick up the wrigglers once the eggs hatch. Mine fanned and guarded eggs for two days until they hatched, then picked the fry up until they were free-swimming.