Hrp - Female Or Male

[kaivalagi]

The question has arisen as to whether a new HRP purchase I made at the weekend is a female as wanted or a male.... 2 males in the same tank is not what I was after...currently my existing male is in the main tank and the new "female" as it will be called is in the quarantine tank.

Here's a pic of the definite male (from over one month back, he is a lot bigger now, ~4" now) in the main tank:

And here's a better pic of the newly purchased "female" in the other tank (~2.5" currently):

The "female" has a slight purple hue on the lower half of it's body and doesn't have any red colouration on the fins, instead they're more bluer fins. The blue is not so full on either, the body is more pastel and not so bright...I thought the body was oval rather than elongated but now I am not so sure. Also the behaviour of the "female" is nothing like that of the male...in that it is digging a pit etc in the sand...but that could be a male preparing a nest maybe? Can a female have the head shape above is the big question I guess.

I am no expert hence double checking but from what I gather I might have a female here???

I have found this page which makes me think I'm okay?: http/www.freshwate...-point-t113.htm Looking at the photos here suggests a female can have the same head profile as what I have (I think) but I would like your opinion on it all.


I've also read that it can be hard sexing HRP as inbreeding and cross breeding convict / HRP are quite common place.

Please let me know what you think, I don't want 2 males but if your 100% sure atleast I'll know to complain to the LFS so called "expert" and expect a true female...

 

[rdp50734]

looks like female to me but I'm no expert! The one Im selling is a definate female! As I bred from her but lost the fry!

 

[kaivalagi]

looks like female to me but I'm no expert! The one Im selling is a definate female! As I bred from her but lost the fry!

If only I knew...where are you based in case I might need a "proper" female...

 

[Wills]

I think its female, if you can get a shot where you can see the full tail I will be 100% on it but at present the indicators are that the male has a red tail and fins where as the females have really blue blue fins. Head shape looks right as well to me for it to be female

Wills

 

[kaivalagi]

Thanks for the input Willis, I can confirm that the tail has no red in it and is generally bluer than any of my males finnage in the main tank. I assume at 2.5" there would be some signs in the tail colouration already if it was a male...

Fingers crossed when they are introduced they get on...they'll be in a Roma 125 which will be fine if they're bonding well but not so good if they have a barney or two...

The next problem I'll face with them is getting the male out from all the caves in the main tank that he currently "owns"...maybe I'll remove him when I do a rescape

 

[rdp50734]

Oldbury west midlands.

 

[kaivalagi]

I need to move to Birmingham, all the fish/fry I am interested in are in that area! I think I'll pass and get a new female from my LFS (not so local, 45min drive) if I have too...by all accounts it looks like I'll be okay though

Cheers

 

[fishnovice]

The question has arisen as to whether a new HRP purchase I made at the weekend is a female as wanted or a male.... 2 males in the same tank is not what I was after...currently my existing male is in the main tank and the new "female" as it will be called is in the quarantine tank.

Here's a pic of the definite male (from over one month back, he is a lot bigger now, ~4" now) in the main tank:

And here's a better pic of the newly purchased "female" in the other tank (~2.5" currently):

The "female" has a slight purple hue on the lower half of it's body and doesn't have any red colouration on the fins, instead they're more bluer fins. The blue is not so full on either, the body is more pastel and not so bright...I thought the body was oval rather than elongated but now I am not so sure. Also the behaviour of the "female" is nothing like that of the male...in that it is digging a pit etc in the sand...but that could be a male preparing a nest maybe? Can a female have the head shape above is the big question I guess.

I am no expert hence double checking but from what I gather I might have a female here???

I have found this page which makes me think I'm okay?: http/www.freshwate...-point-t113.htm Looking at the photos here suggests a female can have the same head profile as what I have (I think) but I would like your opinion on it all.


I've also read that it can be hard sexing HRP as inbreeding and cross breeding convict / HRP are quite common place.

Please let me know what you think, I don't want 2 males but if your 100% sure atleast I'll know to complain to the LFS so called "expert" and expect a true female...

Looks like a female to me too, assuming the difference in body shape of HRP is the same as cons which I keep. Females tend to have shorter rounder bodies with shorter fins tilted slightly upwards.males have more elongated bodies and longer fins. When you see a pair together, you'll know what I mean

 

[kaivalagi]

Looks like a female to me too, assuming the difference in body shape of HRP is the same as cons which I keep. Females tend to have shorter rounder bodies with shorter fins tilted slightly upwards.males have more elongated bodies and longer fins. When you see a pair together, you'll know what I mean

Since posting I've seen the female come out with female only colouring, interestingly usually when the lights go down....she has been losing the general blue hue for a more white one in the body, but having more pronounced banding and the most impressive turquoise underside I have ever seen...I have never seen my male with such bright blues and pale whites...such a nice looking fish, I'm chuffed.

I just hope when the male and female get put together in does go nasty......I guess I'll find out soonish

 

[kaivalagi]

Well, the female is definitely female, united the male and female today in the now "breeding" tank

Within 5 minutes they were courting, and now they seem to be figuring out where to do the business

The colours of both fish have come out amazingly, I am so chuffed.

Only issue now is the 4 cories in there are not welcome....unless they get the message I will have to move them again, which I think will be the case

I'll post a new thread with pics when I gather enough good pics

Did I say I was chuffed!

Pics I have so far:

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[rdp50734]

Yes it wont be long no until babies appear the colours are lovely! Leave the babies with the parents for a while though, I moved mine to a breeding net and they all died within 4 hours! I dont know why!?

 

[kaivalagi]

Yes it wont be long no until babies appear the colours are lovely! Leave the babies with the parents for a while though, I moved mine to a breeding net and they all died within 4 hours! I dont know why!?

You had breeding HRPs too? Or another cichlid?

They have the tank all to themselves, I moved the cories into the other tank, I'm getting better at netting fish now
I don't plan on intervening at all...I assume as the fry get bigger they'll still be okay? About 1" then in with a divider maybe? I have no where else to move anything but do have a divider for the tank they're in.

The male has been doing a jerking motion in front of the female, doesn't seem to happen when he's not close by, it almost looks like a convulsion, is this normal? Just concious I only moved him a short while before courting started and I want to rule out anything bad

This is fascinating, I must say! The first cichlid breeding behaviour I've seen in my tanks as it's the first I've stocked for

 

[rdp50734]

I didn't see much of the courting, they were in a tank with firemouths but they claimed a broken vase thing as their home! I was doing a count one day and noticed loads of little wigglers! I waited until the next day and bought a breeding net put them in and that was that! They did have that intense colouration and defended the territory very well against the firemouths as there were 3 pairs! That was crazy!!!!

 

[kaivalagi]

I didn't see much of the courting, they were in a tank with firemouths but they claimed a broken vase thing as their home! I was doing a count one day and noticed loads of little wigglers! I waited until the next day and bought a breeding net put them in and that was that! They did have that intense colouration and defended the territory very well against the firemouths as there were 3 pairs! That was crazy!!!!

I bet, with that many predators around I bet they were on edge and put up a real fight to anything near by...

I am still amazed at how quick they got it on and how the colours developed so quicky...when I had the male in the tank but in a bag getting used to the water the female was getting right up close and changed her colours almost immediately as if to say "come here big boy!" lol

I have turned the tank light off now and am trying not to disturb them too much...I have noticed quite a bit of sand being disturbed, I figure they're trying lots of places in the tank on for size as it were.

I can't forget I moved 4 geo into the main tank, I really ought to keep an eye on them too

 

[rdp50734]

Fingers crossed!!!!!!!!!!