Sexing Jags and adivce

[Squirtle919]

Hey All

got myself some jags finally! I am 99.9% sure its male and female but I am having doubts, they haven't really paired up yet so have a separator in the tank for the time, the male goes off at the female when ever I try it out and she has no where to hide yet so don't want to leave it open, the first time she went off at the male but now she seems to swim near him or lay on top of him but he just snaps at her I am unsure what to do as I have never tried to hook big cichlids up always let them pair when young.

I understand when they breed it dose sometimes look like they are fighting but from what I understand the female looks to be fighting back also? in my case she just dodges and trys to hide behind the filter!

I was thinking maybe some dither fish and hurry up to get the driftwood and stones for the tank (180G) to keep the female more safe, My only guess coming from my experience with red terrors is that she is ready to breed but he is not which is causing him to be aggressive towards her OR they just dont get along OR my 00.01% idea same sex?

Anyways heres some pictures, The one with the split tail is male? the one near the cave is female? (female got his tail when they where young and apparently they did produce fry when little but the owner had no room to breed them so split them up) Any help would be great! thanks guys

View attachment 731668View attachment 731669

 

[Hellman]

when did you get them???

 

[Squirtle919]

2-3 weeks ago ruffly

 

[fishman09]

they both look male at a quick glance but the top one is a female and the bottom is a male from what i can tell.

 

[fishman09]

i go by the black spotting below the lateral line and on the chin area to tell if its a male. females will have spots but they wont be black like males.

 

[Squirtle919]

thanks fishman, the "female" was more rounded before she was moved which also leads me to think its a female But unsure, One thing I have noted is the females are more goldish from what I have seen in my case the one I believe is male seems to be more gold then the female :S confusing lol

 

[Squirtle919]

anyone else willing to give it a shot?

 

[Hellman]

first one looks female and the second one looks male to me

 

[Aquafreak]

Both males. Female will have a lot less spotting below the lateral line, and the body on both fish is way to deep to be female. Once you see a female next to the male, you will know right away.

 

[Hellman]

Both males. Female will have a lot less spotting below the lateral line, and the body on both fish is way to deep to be female. Once you see a female next to the male, you will know right away.

really didn't know that what else makes it so you can tell the difference between the male and female