Which Jag?

[pwmin]

I currently have (3) 2.5-3" Jags in my 55 and I only want to keep one. The two smaller ones are darker and don't seem really aggressive, but don't really have their own territory, whereas the larger one (in the best shape) has it's little territory and defends it but doesn't really go after the other fish unless they get too close. Which one of these do you think I should keep looks-wise and what sex might they appear to be or is it too early to tell? I'm not sure why the smaller ones are so dark. I have never seen them lighten up, either. The first pic is jag #1 and the 2nd and 3rd pics are Jag #2 on the top and Jag #3 on bottom (the largest one). The last pic is #3.

 

[bolty]

I would keep a darker 1, the darker ones out of my spawns mostley turned out being males

 

[mbunafishkeeper]

 

[PoopSmart]

I disagree.

I say keep the bigger one. The bigger one is most likely male if its pushing aroudn the smallers.

I got 2 jags and they looked identical at about 1.5 inches. THe one that was the bossyest turned out to be male and the darker one that hid all the time was female.

I think some cichlids actually change sex as well, depending on how dominant they are. I am not sure if that trend extends all the way to the parachromis genus, but I know amphilophus j uveniles will determine sex sometimes on pecking order.

Maybe seperate them more with a divider and grow them out some and see if you can see the true colors on the darker ones, because they are most likely pretty stressed.

 

[pwmin]

okay, thanks. well, the lighter colored one actually is the least active and hides the most. the others are the ones that are out the most, but they have some split fins and do seem more stressed like you said. I don't necessarily want a male as I'm looking for one that I can put in an aggressive community tank, so personality is more important than if it's a M or F. I guess I'll just keep watching them and see what happens and take some more pics later. I am going to clean the tank and add some more driftwood today, so more hiding spaces should make a difference.

 

[West1]

What did you pay for those beauty's??

 

[pwmin]

What did you pay for those beauty's??

$3.50 a piece at PoopsMart

 

[bolty]

I disagree.

I say keep the bigger one. The bigger one is most likely male if its pushing aroudn the smallers.

I got 2 jags and they looked identical at about 1.5 inches. THe one that was the bossyest turned out to be male and the darker one that hid all the time was female.

I think some cichlids actually change sex as well, depending on how dominant they are. I am not sure if that trend extends all the way to the parachromis genus, but I know amphilophus j uveniles will determine sex sometimes on pecking order.

Maybe seperate them more with a divider and grow them out some and see if you can see the true colors on the darker ones, because they are most likely pretty stressed.

I did not say his darker1 are or would be male, I said most of "MY" darker1 turned out male, how can you disagree with that? .lol..

 

[SkidMark]

Can you keep them for another month or two and then decide?

 

[pwmin]

Can you keep them for another month or two and
then decide?

yeah, i just thought maybe if there was a clear "winner" then i could get rid of two so it would be less overstocked. I'll try to get some better pics in a couple weeks or something.