Aequidens Metae - Help With Sexing Please? :)

[minxfishy]

Had them 10 days now and after a time when I never thought Id never see them, they have become much more active and inquisitive. One is very aggressive to the other, particularly when feeding time comes around and as such has hurt its head (which you will see in the pics) as a result of its vigorous chasing. Suprisingly the one being chased hasnt a mark on it

Jerry, much rounder in the stomache, not so many vertical bands, this is the fish being chased.

Tom, the aggressor, thinner, darker colouring and vertical banding

I think both male, because of the aggression, but whaddya think?

 

[england]

Not up on these minx, sorry but they are beautiful, looking at finnage id agree to you as in both the same,but wether to male or female they seem to point which usually leads to male?

 

[minxfishy]

Thanks nelly, hey you still on british soil??

 

[england]

A little while longer yes,going in november for a while

 

[star4]

that top one really is starting to look like Bailey!!!!

 

[minxfishy]

that top one really is starting to look like Bailey!!!!

Isnt Bailey genrally a more bluey/green colour though? They are definately metae, not diadema from what I can tell Is your larger one the same in the fins as these two?

 

[star4]

When Bailey is standing up for herself/himself then the green comes out more. When relaxed you dont tend to see it. My 2 are still very brown in colour Their anal fins are also (look from the pics anyway) shorter and slightly rounder! Did I get the girls & you got the boys

 

[minxfishy]

Looking that way, we may need a swap if thats the case, because my two dont like each other Although Im still undecided on Jerry whether its male or female, the rounder belly is confusing and that one doesnt get the most food either

 

[star4]

If they are bullying each other and you want to switch one I have no problem with that. Just dont give me any more naughty fish

 

[minxfishy]

Will see how they go for a while longer yet.

 

[star4]

Sure, its only a couple of weeks yet, they still have time to settle.

 

[hamfist]

Looks like its difficult to sex these guys without specialist knowledge.

If you 2 are able to easily swap around your "pairs" then it sounds like it might be worthwhile.

 

[minxfishy]

Hmmmm well I guess I will have to wait a bit then, Jerry (1st pics) has much more red on the fins and is definatley rounder in shape, but because they both have the same anal/dorsal fin shape its difficult to sex them, they are still reasonably small, so give it a few months and it maybe easier

 

[snowflake311]

Its hard to tell with out a good side shot. Because you really need to look at the head shape. Fins are not a good way to sex fish imo.

I think looking at photos is the best way for you to get good at sexing.

http/heimrich.de/images/DSC_0206.jpg
Male on right female Left.

once older and fully mature this is what a male should look like.
http/213.180.95.58/artregister/artbild/a_metae01-johan_lindgren.jpg

See the boxy shape head sure sign of a male. You will see even younger males will start to get this shape at 4". He the head is a perfect slope from dorsel ray down its a female Female.

hope that helps. Its a very nice looking fish.