Sexing salvini cichlids

Chicohombre39

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 11, 2021
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Hello! First off thanks for taking the time to look at my post. I bought these salvini a couple months ago they were only about half this size. I would like to know if i have male or female. Im pretty sure from what i read the one with the black on the dorsal fin is a female. The other is the one im not sure of. Im adding multiple pics of the same fish so you can have a good view. It has great colour and not dull like they say males tend to be. Also I see some black spots in the dorsal fin just not a prominent stripe. Anyways i look forward to yalls opinions! Thanks again.

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Deadeye

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Both look female to me.
They have the vibrant colors of a female, and not much of the male traits.
 

Deadeye

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I think I may have to change my vote on the second one. Male, female should have a blotch. Colors can be vibrant on both, it is just more common on females.
 

Chicohombre39

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 11, 2021
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I think I may have to change my vote on the second one. Male, female should have a blotch. Colors can be vibrant on both, it is just more common on females.
Thanks i was thinking i had a pair but the colors look so good on him and also up close he has a cluster of black spots on the dorsal but not the definite stripe. Guess i just got a pretty male. How big are they when they start to pair off and breed?
 
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Deadeye

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It may not be easy to force a pair, not sure how readily these guys breed though. I would assume that around the 2.5-3 inch mark you should start seeing signs of pairing, just based on other similar sized cichlids.
 
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Cich Mind

Dovii
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Feb 28, 2021
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Hey C Chicohombre39 ,
Nice Salvini you have there. I love the Salvini's attitude and coloration. They look like they are coloring up nicely for you. They are one of my favorite cichlids to keep. IMO you have a male and a female. Good luck with those little guys.
 
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