Dwarf Gouramis Sex Confusion

[mhfan06]

I just picked up 2 dwarf gouramis at the LFS hoping that i would get one male and one female. (dont care about breeding) There were colored ones and dull ones, but he told me just to look at the back fins...so i tell him to use his "expert" knowledge to pick me a pair......he picked 2 of similar color but one has a a back fin thats slightly more pointy.....For some reason i agreed w/ his choice and left happily for home. However, as soon as i got home i started to question his/my choice. Maybe i should have picked a dull looking one for the female. Anyways, can 2 males get along in a 10 gallon tank? and can females have the same coloring? Was the salesman right about his choice? The more i compare them the more i think they are both males. They don't seem to be fighting now but i know when they get older they probably will if they are both males.

Sorry i cant provide a picture but my main question is..is the back fin method reliable?

thanks

 

[Saedcantas]

Dwarf gouramis should be nice and easy to sex
Female;

Although the females can be quite variable in colour (although always noticably duller) they clearly have a much more tapered body shape, notice how the body comes towards a point at the back. As to the end of the dorsal fin, females are much more rounded off rather than trailing or pointed but it should be more obvious than having to study the dorsal fin for hours

Whereas these guys despite the colour difference are all male;

Males given enough space may cohabit. But 10 Gal certainly isnt that, you are likely to run in to trouble sooner or later I'm afraid
Lotte*

 

[mhfan06]

Thanks! i took one back and got a female! woohoo! but now they are still nibbling at each other...i just hope they are love bites haha