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Help with Gender! Cockatoo Cichlids

3.3K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  The Fish Lady  
#1 ·
Hi all,

Figured I’d ask the experts around here! I received a pair of amazing Cockatoo Cichlids and my local LFS were selling them as a pair (Male and Female). When I got home, I did my research on them and noticed that my female wasn’t looking like other females online. Could you please all let me know your opinion?

I believe the first picture is the female and the second is the male.

I would be happy to upload more pictures if needed.

Thanks!
Image

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#9 ·
Some of the domestic color varieties of cacatuoides can have very colorful females, not sure why. I would say it well could be a female, but the other problem with domestic strains is that sometimes they aren't very good breeders. And, as Auballagh stated, Cockatoos are more often a harem breeder. I have bred wild or near wild as pairs on occasion, but domestics always seem touchy.
 
#10 ·
Domesticated Cacatuodies are a notoriously hard apistogramma species to sex when you. In recent years, females have been selectively bred for male characteristics, something no other apistogramma species has been subjected to so diligently. As previously stated by Auballagh and Mr. Chromedome most apistos are polygamous and cactuodies especially so. Many keep upwards of 5 females for each male, but a pair should be fine. Just be wary of any aggression.

For me to ID them fully, the fish would need to be at least a few months older. I would say you have 2 young males now given the fin extensions on the lower fish and the colouration on the first fish. However, the first could also be a female, as it is hard to differentiate at this age with domesticated cacatuoides.
 
#11 ·
Domesticated Cacatuodies are a notoriously hard apistogramma species to sex when you. In recent years, females have been selectively bred for male characteristics, something no other apistogramma species has been subjected to so diligently. As previously stated by Auballagh and Mr. Chromedome most apistos are polygamous and cactuodies especially so. Many keep upwards of 5 females for each male, but a pair should be fine. Just be wary of any aggression.

For me to ID them fully, the fish would need to be at least a few months older. I would say you have 2 young males now given the fin extensions on the lower fish and the colouration on the first fish. However, the first could also be a female, as it is hard to differentiate at this age with domesticated cacatuoides.
Hi!😃
That's sooo neato! Wow!😃 you do learn something every day; thanks!