Severum....sex And Behavior Question

[Faythee]

When I picked out my Green Sev I bought the one with the least color and shortest fins looking for a female. As it grew I thought it was a male as it got prettier with elongated fins and now I am not sure. It has started this thing where it turns dark in color and its eyes glow and it becomes a bit aggressive. It will start pulling at plants, spastically pecking at the gravel, and "shakes" it's body. I assume it wants to mate. After research it appears this is the behavior of the female. Or does the male do this as well ?

 

[minxfishy]

Gotta say it looks male to me and still too small to 'do the business', but that could just be the photo.

 

[Faythee]

He's about 6 inches, maybe 7. This has been going on for a month now. Do they eventually stop this behavior or is it an ongoing thing ?

 

[minxfishy]

Really, didnt think he was more than 3" by that picture, hasnt really filled out has he. Mine often change their colours and toughen up for a day or so, always taking mouthful of gravel and rearranging the scenery, then they calm right back down again. Ive always taken it as being a part of severums, loopy basically.

 

[markandhisfish]

i have to agree with minxy. from the way the tip of the anal fin extends past the caudfl fin would suggest male. and as said sevs are shot to bits at times