Orange Zebra Egg Spots.

[doktor doris]

I understand that evoloution gave egg spots to males so when females were too keen to get their eggs into their mouths the males would have a chance to fertilise them, because the females try to get the egg spots into their mouths whilst the males cover those fins in sperm.

However, I have read that egg are not a 100% accurate method of establishing sex.

How accurate are egg spots for ascertaining sex in Metriaclima estherae?

Thanks

doris

 

[dthoffsett]

They're not an accurate way to sex any mbuna, usually if you see a lot of egg spots (like 4 or more) it's a good chance you've got a male, but I've had confirmed females with multiple spots and my dominate male M.callainos had none.

Adult male M.estherae are typically more of a yellow color than the females and may have a slight blue sheen, they will also grow a bit larger, however sub-dominate males can take on female coloration. Venting or observing them spawning is the most accurate way to sex any monomorphic mbuna.