I have two redhead CICHLIDS that are about 5-6". One can be aggressive at times toward the other. I heard this is common among the breed but I was wondering if I've got two of the same sex. At what size and how can the sex be determined?
Sexing Redhead Cichlids
- Thread starter Ariel_Saxon
- Start date
The term Red Head could mean about 4 or 5 different species.
I will guess you mean Vieja melanurum, or bifasciatum, but could be others.
Both of these are difficult to tell between genders.
Males tend to have steeper profile, and during spawning are said to get blue in the eyes.
To hold down aggression, they need to be housed in large tanks, at least 6 ft long, and dither fish can sometimes help (swordtails, mollies), but if the tank is too small, it won't matter.
The fish below is also from the genus Vieja, but not either species mentioned
first a male note the shape of the profile
now a female, note head (profile shape)
Now a bifasciatum one I mentioned above
and a young melanurum
I will guess you mean Vieja melanurum, or bifasciatum, but could be others.
Both of these are difficult to tell between genders.
Males tend to have steeper profile, and during spawning are said to get blue in the eyes.
To hold down aggression, they need to be housed in large tanks, at least 6 ft long, and dither fish can sometimes help (swordtails, mollies), but if the tank is too small, it won't matter.
The fish below is also from the genus Vieja, but not either species mentioned
first a male note the shape of the profile
now a female, note head (profile shape)
Now a bifasciatum one I mentioned above
and a young melanurum
I'll post a couple of photos in a bit if I can get decent ones. They are Vieja synspilum and they're in a 210 with two bala sharks, fire eel, arowana, and two terror CICHLIDS but the terrors will have to be moved soon due to space and aggression. The terrors are picking on them occasionally which doesn't help. But the main aggression is between the two Viejas and it's only one of them that's aggressive as the other only swims away and never fights back. I can tell it's causing them to stress from their coloration (the one getting picked on turns black quite often). I know changes have to made to the aquarium but I'm trying to weigh out my best options. I've accepted the terrors have to be moved but I'm hoping I can help find peace between my viejas.
The one facing to the left is the one doing the chasing and the one facing the right is the one being chased.
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If the synspilum (the name synspilum (1936) is considered invalid, because the name melanurum was scientifically described 1st ..1862(same species)) if they are both males, the more dominant individual will like try to kill the subdominant one, if they are a male and female, the male will only tolerate the females presence if she's ready to spawn, if she's not ready she is useless to him.
With Vieja it is often better to have 3 or 4 females to 1 male in order to spread out aggression.
And if the Vieja in you tank, are new editions, that may be why the GTs are harassing them. The GTs probably feel they own the tank, and no other cichlids belong in their realm due to their tenure.
With most Vieja I have kept (be they melanurun, bifasciatum, breidhoriI), they started with 6 or 8 juvies, and grew up together, but in the end, usually ended up with just one compatible pair, because the dominant pair very often kill all the rest.
And just because you have a male and female, does not mean they are compatible, they have complicated rituals to determine compatibility, and can at times be very choosy.
With Vieja it is often better to have 3 or 4 females to 1 male in order to spread out aggression.
And if the Vieja in you tank, are new editions, that may be why the GTs are harassing them. The GTs probably feel they own the tank, and no other cichlids belong in their realm due to their tenure.
With most Vieja I have kept (be they melanurun, bifasciatum, breidhoriI), they started with 6 or 8 juvies, and grew up together, but in the end, usually ended up with just one compatible pair, because the dominant pair very often kill all the rest.
And just because you have a male and female, does not mean they are compatible, they have complicated rituals to determine compatibility, and can at times be very choosy.
The male Gt is the mane culprit and I forgot he was in the tank before the others. He didn't get so aggressive until a couple weeks ago when his hump formed at what seemed like over night. That's interesting to know as I am new to this breed and was originally looking for the argentea but couldn't find them but I was instantly in love them. So could the viejas aggression escalate to the other tank mate's?
If I choose to take out the aggressive Vieja, would it be possible to keep the non aggressive one in the tank with the terrors peacefully or would this still cause issues. The one Vieja seems so laid back but I don't know if it's because he's not the dominant one? And is it possible to tell the sex by photos or are they too young?
Gender difference for Vieja are sometimes hard to see even when mature.
If yours are young there is probably no way to tell with simple photos.
Depends on how territorially entrenched the GTs are, whether or not they will tolerate another cichlid. Time could help, especially if the Vieja stays out of their way.
But Vieja get large, and can be tough, so if the Vieja lasts, it may turn the tide on the GTs , because it will get large and tough enough to assassinate them both.
If yours are young there is probably no way to tell with simple photos.
Depends on how territorially entrenched the GTs are, whether or not they will tolerate another cichlid. Time could help, especially if the Vieja stays out of their way.
But Vieja get large, and can be tough, so if the Vieja lasts, it may turn the tide on the GTs , because it will get large and tough enough to assassinate them both.