[ccwb333]

Since I recently changed the rocks around in my tank, I have alot of my haras coloring up to look like males. I thought i had 2 maybe 3 males, but now looking like I may have 5. Will the females every get very light blue, almost white? What things should I look for to sex them?

I have 9 white tops in a 55gal, about the 2 inch range, with acei and yel labs.

 

[Eric C.]

Thats the exact same set up that I have. :thumb:

I've noticed with the white tops the females can take on the male coloration. The best way to sex them is to vent them.

 

[why_spyder]

I've noticed with the white tops the females can take on the male coloration. The best way to sex them is to vent them.

Agreed. It is nothing unusual for females of these to take on the coloration of males. In fact, I have one female that appears that way so often, that one would think she "wants" to be a male. :lol:

 

[ccwb333]

Thanks. Guess I will just have to watch them more closely. Was amazed to see 5 diff fish changing colors on me. Will try my hand at venting, maybe in a few weeks.

 

[Hermitkid84]

I've found that the males tend to have longer pectoral fins. It is hard to tell by color alone, but what I did was remove the dominate males one by one into another tank by looking at their behavior. This approach isn't fool proof, but it has worked for me since I have no idea how to vent.

 

[why_spyder]

I've found that the males tend to have longer pectoral fins.

I can't use this method, as my females have long pelvics as well. :wink:

 

[dgarnier]

any change of getting some pics of male and female vents for the white tops?

 

[why_spyder]

Not with my camera skills.... :lol:

Well, I'll see if I can get anything tonight..... first have to catch the fish...

 

[why_spyder]

Well, I had the fish out and ready to photograph until I noticed something.

The one female for the vent photo was holding! :-?

So a quick *whoosh* of the net and all the fish were back into the normal tank - so no photos from me tonight.

Now I can only hope I didn't mess up that spawn..... :roll:

 

[cichlidaholic]

My dominant large female can look identical to my male when she gets excited, and I have to agree with Brian, she has beautiful flowing finnage, so that's not an accurate way to sex them.

Venting is the only sure fire way.