sometimes they say you can tell a sev by facial markings but that isnt 100%... its just females dont have worm lining in the face (usually) but they only sure way to tell is the vents....or if you end up with eggs...if you post pics of your severum in the calling all your severum fans in the south american cichlids furom... they could tell you better. http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182556