Sexing Convicts

[fry_lover]

Hi

I have been keeping Convicts for a while now, normally i find it easy to sex them, not just the "orange" belly but also i find the behaviour anyway is quite a give-away

BUT..........

If i have a 1.25 inch, pushing 1.5 inch Convict and its NEVER shown any orange on the belly can i reasonably assume its male?

Sorry i dont have a pic, but whats the most reliable way to sex Convicts that are under 2"

Thanks

 

[Nevergone815]

I usually assume all convicts are male until proven otherwise. Behavior is a key difference as is size. How much bigger is it from other convicts it's age that had similar living conditions. Usually males will grow bigger faster as with most cichlids I can think of (can't vouch for the smaller, i.e. under 4", cichlids though).

Other than that, if they don't show orange belly then the probably are a male. At 1.25"-1.5" They should start showing orange in females, but like all species, there are late blooming females out there

 

[Mystix212]

They usually get thier colours at 1"-1.25" There have been reports of 2" breeders. If by 1.75"-1.5" there is no orange, then it is a male for sure