Firemouths are a hard fish to sex especially on younger specimens.
There are the usual indicators like longer fin extensions on male fish and slightly more rounded profile to the cranium.
Female thorichthys usually show a darker blotch to the dorsal fin than that of a male.
However both sexes can show these traits so sexing can become just an educated guess.
In older fish the male will grow bigger than a female.If you have a firemouth over 6 inches,chances are it's male.
The other indicator of sex in mature cichlids can be seen when the fish are in breeding condition.
The females ovipositor will drop. It will be blunt and stubby when compared to the male more slender pointed organ.
Good luck,not an easy fish to sex.
