Firemouths

[chris_1127]

which is a better guide for sexing firemouths, the colouration or the anal/dorsal fin extensions? I have a 3 1/2" firemouth thats pretty deeply coloured and I had assumed it was a male; however it lacks any long extensions on its dorsal/anal fins - i had perhaps put this down to its small size. I recently saw some smaller firemouths in a LFS (2" max) which lacked the colouration of mine but had much more obvious extensions on the fins. is there one feature which is a better guide than the other at all? i did have a pair, but lost one last weekend and really want to replace it to give me a male/female pair. Thanks for any pointers/tips

 

[freddyk]

Unfortunately it isn't easy to sex these guys - the longer finnage can be breeding as much as anything. Your firemouth is still young enough that you can purchase a few specimens and let a pair naturally form - the only reliable method of acheiving a monogomous pair. If you simply add a female you could very likely end up with another dead one.