[baza]

hi

I have two red zebras and i am quite confused about them. Everywhere I have read it says that the pale coloured ones are more likely to be males and the darker orange ones are the females. One of my is clearly darker than the other but it chases the pale one around. Does this mean i may have a female that is chasing the male? The pale one is almost a pink/white colour and the dark one is a beautiful almost fluroescent orange. Any thoughts on this?

cheers

 

[remarkosmoc]

To my understanding in wild the orange ones are one sex and the males the other but breeders have cut that out and there are both sexes in all colors. I think the best way is to tell by egg spots. In my tanks the males have 4-5 egg spots and the females 0-2.

 

[Fogelhund]

To my understanding in wild the orange ones are one sex and the males the other but breeders have cut that out and there are both sexes in all colors. I think the best way is to tell by egg spots. In my tanks the males have 4-5 egg spots and the females 0-2.

Egg spots are not reliable indicators either. I have females with more eggs spots than males, well into double digits.

Females can chase males. It is also possible that you have two males. As these fish mature, males will have longer ventral fins, and more pointed dorsal and anal fins.

 

[remarkosmoc]

To my understanding in wild the orange ones are one sex and the males the other but breeders have cut that out and there are both sexes in all colors. I think the best way is to tell by egg spots. In my tanks the males have 4-5 egg spots and the females 0-2.

Egg spots are not reliable indicators either. I have females with more eggs spots than males, well into double digits.

Females can chase males. It is also possible that you have two males. As these fish mature, males will have longer ventral fins, and more pointed dorsal and anal fins.

Is there a reliable method? Egg spots is from my personal experience so it could just be a fluke. I've got two males both with 6 spotsand 4 femails with 0, 2, and 3 spots. Female sex verified by witnessing them holding; males assumed by them never holding.

 

[Joea]

Is there a reliable method?

Venting.

http://www.fishhead.com/articles/ventsex.htm

 

[DJRansome]

My females chase my male constantly! He is young, they are adult. He is new to the tank, they are established. They actually killed on male before I realized what was happening. The females also fight each other, and I have had to tap on the tank to break up girl on girl liplocks that appeared to be on the way to becoming permanent!

 

[baza]

hi

DJRansome Wow thats crazy man.

both my zebras only have two egg spots each, i got them both at the same time from the same shop so Iam assuming they are the same age, they are roughly the same size. The bright orange zebra is definetly the dominant one the other pale one is the tank bitch!!

 

[trigger]

To my understanding in wild the orange ones are one sex

No at minos reef the pale orange males can be found.

 

[DJRansome]

My males turn pale at maturity. But having only two of any mbuna is a problem. You need at least four females per male for Estherae IME.