Lake Malawi Species • Sex distinction melanocromis johanni

[Orlix76]

Salve, piacere di far parte di questo forum, vorrei un consiglio dai piu esperti.
Ho 4 esemplari di melanocromis johanni lunghi circa 4/5 centimetri
2 presentano una colorazione arancio scura e 2 una colorazione violacea leggermente sbiadita.
Mi sapete dire il sesso?
Provo ad allegarvi delle immagini.
Grazie in anticipo

[DJRansome]

Welcome to Cichlid-forum! Are you able to post in English?

[Orlix76]

Hi, nice to be part of this forum, I would like some advice from the most experienced.
I have 4 specimens of melanocromis johanni about 4/5 centimeters long
2 have a dark orange color and 2 a slightly faded purplish color.
Can you tell me the sex?
I try to attach some pictures.
Thanks in advance

[DJRansome]

Female johannii are yellow orange. Male johannii are blue black. Here is the link to the Cichlid-forum profile. https://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/ ... php?id=760

[Orlix76]

Thanks for the reply. Is sexual dimorphism very pronounced even when they are still small, as in my case? Do they tend to change color?
Are they already different in color when they are little?

[DJRansome]

Juveniles are all yellow orange and the males turn blue black as they mature.

[Orlix76]

Out of four specimens, do I have any hope of finding a male and a female?
the photos I posted are not indicative of gender, because my specimens are still too small ... right?

[Fogelhund]

Out of four specimens, do I have any hope of finding a male and a female?
the photos I posted are not indicative of gender, because my specimens are still too small ... right?

Yes, they are still too small. Out of four specimens, odds are you have at least one male, and one female. Depending on your aquarium size, and other fish in there, you will probably want anywhere from 3-6 females, for each male, as they can be very aggressive.

[noki]

Yes, in a young group the most dominant male or two can start turning darker before being sexually mature at 4 or 5 cm. Depends if there are larger other males in the tank.