Sexing My New Kribs

[pleco4030]

hello i recently purchased two kribs from my lfs. i was told one was male and one was female. on further inspection at home i noticed that im having trouble sexing both of them even though its supposed to be easy. i think they are both female but i want another opinion. here are two pictures of each of them.

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[Jenste]

the first two pictures are the male, and the bottom two pictures are the female.

the female has the glorious purple/red tummy...males stay much paler/slightly pink...and the males dorsal fin as the eye spots typically

 

[pleco4030]

thanks, is it normal for the female to be very aggresive towards the male? i think thats why i second guessed them being a pair. that and i noticed the fins arent more pointed for other one (which i guess also helps in sexing them)

 

[Jenste]

yes....it is similar to you being tossed into a marriage with a stranger....she has to grow to like him. most often it is the females who have to get used to the males and not vice versa...given time they will probably breed...but it usually works best when (if you have the room) you buy about 3 of each sex and let a pair naturally form, then rehome the rest

 

[Assaye]

The female has a brighter belly and more rounded dorsal. She is also smaller.

The male is larger, often less colourful and has a pointed dorsal fin.

Could both be female? I'm finding it hard to tell.

 

[ian]

i was thinking both female.

 

[pleco4030]

the one that has less color and has the eye spots is actually the smaller one lol.i would purchase more to let them pair up but they will be going into my 55g tank after quarantining them for a 2weeks/a month. and i already have 10 rainbowfish and a rhino pleco in there (the 55g). i have a spare 10g but doesnt that seem to small to but a bunch of kribs in there to pair up

 

[Jenste]

the one that has less color and has the eye spots is actually the smaller one lol.

as juveniles sure...you have no idea of knowing when one was born....but as adults the male will probably be larger. I still believe you have one male and one female from the pictures you posted

 

[pleco4030]

i guess ill wait and see. if they are both one sex and/or the bigger one is to aggressive towards the other one ill relocate one of them. have enough tanks set up to do it if i have to(55, 35, 29, and a 10... not including the quarantine tank which is 10 also)

 

[bellmcc]

These are 2 females, they have more color with the spots. I had a breeding pair, the males are longer and more slender they are'nt quite as colorful.