Central American Cichlids • best way to sex a jack dempsey?

[centrino787]

I am wondering what the best way of sexing a jd is apart from venting. I am wanting to get another jd for my 70gallon but i dont know how to sex it at the lfs. please help.

[dsouthworth]

It's by the color pattern kn the body

Male:


Female:


Notice hPw te male has more color on the body, whereas the female's is duller. Also the females ten to have the jewels on the gill plate behind their jaw.

With smaller fish it is very hard to do this.

[montellp]

haha thats my female jd shes a bully my male paired with my other female so i got a small male to grow out for her

[Deceev]

How soon (approx) can you start seeing these identifying makrings?

[montellp]

with her i got her she was 3 inches i could tell it was female my males at 1.5 inches i could tell they where males the females dont have alot of color on there body

[bluejack23]

I use the gill plate coloring to sex as well. Some females are more colorful than others. This is one of my females.

[montellp]

i have a female tht looks kinda like urs shes in her breeeng dress right now

[bluejack23]

This one is protecting her fry now and shes black.

[montellp]

sweet lol u got any tips on getting her to wanna spawn more

[bluejack23]

Try feed small amounts twice daily rather than one big feeding. If she knows food is always available she will know food will be available for the fry. I was told this a year ago and it seems to work. Also make sure she has a flat surface to lay eggs on (mine likes a one slate piece I have). Hope thar helps you!

[montellp]

thanks she has 4 flat rocks and caves i feed them 3 times a day if not 4

[bluejack23]

Try taping mirror to the tank in between spawns.

[montellp]

k ill try ir but my male dosnt attack it my little male goes crazy lol but he isnt big enough to mate with the female in the above pic