How To Tell The Sex Of My Yellow Labs And Sp.44

[jamesmacc]

hey folks, just got 4x yellow labs and 4x sp.44's. only been in the tank 12 hours and they are already investigating all the caves and having a good nosey about. just wondered how i can tell the sex of them all as i bought them as unknown.
cheers, james

 

[dh058977]

Well the sp.44's should be easy to sex, the males will be far more colourful and will max out at about 5" whereas the females are less colourfull and reach around 3". The colours in the males will continue to change and develop as they mature.
The labs on the other hand are much harder, the males usually have a bit more black on their fins but the only way to really be sure is to 'vent' the fish and if you dont know what your doing I wouldnt recommend it. I would never attempt it.

What made you decide to mix Malawi with Victorian?

 

[neil@northantsmalawis]

I second that, there will defo be alot more black on the fins of a male lab.

 

[blagger]

Congrats on your first fish. you managed to get some to your door then!

 

[jamesmacc]

Congrats on your first fish. you managed to get some to your door then!

cheers mate, couldnt get all the ones i wanted but its a start. i will get the rest in the new year. but already love sitting watching them dash in and out of the rocks. 2 of the sp.44's have much more odvious markings and the lighter 2 seem to follow the darker ones, possibly females following the males
im not going to mix victorians and malawi's, the only reason i got the sp.44 is i love the colours and i know a few people who have kept them together with malawis for years without trouble.
cheers,
james

 

[pauladair1994]

howd u finally get them way up there iv been watching ure progress with interest

 

[jamesmacc]

howd u finally get them way up there iv been watching ure progress with interest

hi mate, i had them shipped royal mail special delivery. they arrived to my door in under 24 hours. i was very nervous though as if they some how missed our depot cut off time then they would be delivered 24 hours later making it 48 hours

 

[pauladair1994]

well done anay way even living in n ireland getting all the better fish is nearly impossible at this time of year cant wait till the warmer weather to get some more interesting and new bloodline over here its a real good hobby im always wanting something like a child in a sweet shop by the way ure tank looks amazing m8

 

[jamesmacc]

well done anay way even living in n ireland getting all the better fish is nearly impossible at this time of year cant wait till the warmer weather to get some more interesting and new bloodline over here its a real good hobby im always wanting something like a child in a sweet shop by the way ure tank looks amazing m8

i was going to fully stock the tank in january, do more species get bred in the summer?

 

[pauladair1994]

well done anay way even living in n ireland getting all the better fish is nearly impossible at this time of year cant wait till the warmer weather to get some more interesting and new bloodline over here its a real good hobby im always wanting something like a child in a sweet shop by the way ure tank looks amazing m8

i was going to fully stock the tank in january, do more species get bred in the summer?

no its just they wont post if the overnite temperature drops under 3 degrees thats wat ive been told can any1 back me up