How To Sex Calico Convicts ?

[treefella83]

about 2 weeks ago i purchased 6 young calico convicts between 3 and 5 cm long they are growing fast and thier colours are getting stronger .
the 2 largest convicts have claimed an end of the tank each which they defend and another convict has set up home in the middle of the tank which it does not defend at all this fish has started to show orange speckles on its belly and has a wider belly .
the other 3 just hang about near the top of the tank.
the only trouble is that all 5 convicts will chase the one that has set up home in the middle of the tank even though it is larger than the 3 that stay at the top of the tank it is cleary at the bottom of the pecking order.
is it possible that i have 5 males and one female ?
should i remove 1 of the larger convicts?

 

[idlefingers]

You can sex them in the same way you would a normal convict, but when they're small, it's harder as many of the defining features haven't developed yet. I assume you're wanting a breeding pair? I'd leave them all in there until a pair visibly forms.

The orange belly would suggest a female so they're all going to be courting to her. As long as there's no damage, a bit of chasing won't hurt it.

 

[treefella83]

i wasnt sure if a female calico would loose her normal colours on the belly because of the calico patern they are breed for.
i really hope its a female as its a real stunner and is showing signs of having an orange dorsal fin.