Sexing Blue Cobalt's

[gunman]

Hi Guys\Gals. I have looked up on this but an still somewhat at a loss . I have revently set up a mbuna tank and bought soe juvi fish along with a pair of slightly larger blue cobalts. I am unsure what sex they are, they both have egg spots (the larger has 2). one is about 2.5" and the other is around 1.75". I have checked teh dorsal for shape and that hasn't got me anywhere. They bothe chase other fish but then they are about the largest I have.

Here's some pics if it helps:

 

[Squidward]

Hi,

Remind me of their latin name.
I have never had these, but will look in my copy of Konings, Malawi Cichlids when I get home.

 

[gunman]

Maylandia callainos

They look paler in the pics than they are in reality.

Cheers.

 

[Squidward]

Maylandia callainos

They look paler in the pics than they are in reality.

Cheers.

gunman,
Just had a quick look in my Konings. The females are smaller and paler than the males and also have fewer egg spots.

 

[gunman]

Thanks, Mine both look the same shade, one is larger than the other (but could be older), large one has 2 egg spots, smaller one has 1 . I have been offered a 2" male which would be excellent if mine were both female, but an awful mess if they are both male

 

[Squidward]

Thanks, Mine both look the same shade, one is larger than the other (but could be older), large one has 2 egg spots, smaller one has 1 . I have been offered a 2" male which would be excellent if mine were both female, but an awful mess if they are both male

I was also looking in my Mbuna Aqualog. It appears there is also a white form of this. So I am not sure if the 2 fish in Konings Back to Nature are the same colour morph.

Tricky one.

 

[gunman]

Yes, if I could find anyone who had fry\juvi's I'd do what I'm doing with the yellow labs\hongi. I have 6 labs and 5 hongi, when they sort themselves out I will be keeping a trio of each (well, maybe 4). I know the hongi should be easy to sex but they are juveniles and aren't just showing full colour yet, although I think I have 2 male\3 female as there's a slight blue sheen off 2 of them. The guy I got them off is really decent and says if they turn out all female etc I can exchange them as he has loads of young at the moment.

Thanks for the advice anyway, much appreciated

 

[Squidward]

Yes, if I could find anyone who had fry\juvi's I'd do what I'm doing with the yellow labs\hongi. I have 6 labs and 5 hongi, when they sort themselves out I will be keeping a trio of each (well, maybe 4). I know the hongi should be easy to sex but they are juveniles and aren't just showing full colour yet, although I think I have 2 male\3 female as there's a slight blue sheen off 2 of them. The guy I got them off is really decent and says if they turn out all female etc I can exchange them as he has loads of young at the moment.

Thanks for the advice anyway, much appreciated

It can be very difficult to sex juvis and even the experts can get it wrong.

I found the 1m/2f ratio impossible to maintain anyway. The odd death, and new fish being born makes it very difficult. Also, in my tank, I couldn't take the rocks out easily, so catching fish after they were in was impossible.