Sexing Pearl Gouramis

[stoneagedinosaur]

Hi all

I have two pearl gouramis and they seem quite happy. Chase each other round the tank occasionally. Was wondering when colouration for males comes through?

The last one was taken when I first got them. The first two were yesterday. Sorry about the quality but they just move too quick for my camera!

They must be about 3 inches long now. Was wanting a male in there really. The fins seem to be the same size on both fish...

 

[Gourami123]

both look like females to me

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

both look like females to me

That's confirmed my thoughts... now to track down a male

 

[Littlemonkey]

I agree, you have two females for sure, the top fins are both rounded. The male will have a more pointed top fin.

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

Excuse my ignorance, when you say pointed... do you mean the dorsal fin tapers to a point towards the tail?

 

[Littlemonkey]

Yes, thats what I mean. Sorry to confuse.

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

Yes, thats what I mean. Sorry to confuse.

No worries, just me being dense.

Just wandered down to my LFS and lo and behold - some mature, red throated males with a nicely pointed dorsal fin. Well... it'd be rude not too wouldn't it!

 

[chesterscot]

If you ask me the dorsal on both of those look like young males the first pic the one on the right especially if you get another male and Im right you will be in for a world of trouble with one female if thats what you have but I doubt it

scot

 

[Littlemonkey]

Yes, thats what I mean. Sorry to confuse.

No worries, just me being dense.

Just wandered down to my LFS and lo and behold - some mature, red throated males with a nicely pointed dorsal fin. Well... it'd be rude not too wouldn't it!

Have you a piccy

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

Hmmmm.... not so sure now! Since adding the new male, one of the other two appears to have coloured up and is acting quite aggressively to the new boy. Not sure - just wondering if they need time to settle or if one of my originals is a juvenile male? New boy is squaring himself up to his reflection at the back of the tank

New boy at the front

New boy taking air. Possibly juvey male at left?

New boy at front. Is that a male behind?

New boy on left

You can see why I bought him!

Do I now have two boys? Has the new male caused the juvenile male to mature?

 

[Littlemonkey]

He is stunning, looking at the 2nd from last picture, I still think that is a female, not only is the dorsal fin rounded but if you look at the tail, it has rounded edges, where the males is more square. The female will colour up if she's interested. Make sure you have plenty of plants and hiding places, so the females will have a chance to rest if the male starts to chase them. Keep us updated.

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

He is stunning, looking at the 2nd from last picture, I still think that is a female, not only is the dorsal fin rounded but if you look at the tail, it has rounded edges, where the males is more square. The female will colour up if she's interested. Make sure you have plenty of plants and hiding places, so the females will have a chance to rest if the male starts to chase them. Keep us updated.

They seem to have chilled out over night. New boy was hiding behind the impeller housing but now is being partnered by one of the ladies who has coloured a little bit.