Female or male? Please help

by **Lairewen** on Sun May 30, 2010 1:12 am

About 3 weeks ago I got three females for my 30L tank. All was fine at first, but then the bullying started. I've noticed that the bully acts differently to the others and I've started to wonder if I have, in fact, got a male here. Help please?

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

by **damo2904** on Sun May 30, 2010 10:37 am

Hmmmm...quite a long body, ideally a pic of it flaring would be good help. Can you see the White ovipositer (if so it's a good sign prob female) & does it have the extra, in this case dark flap when flaring? From here it looks like it may do. (in which case would mean male).

Am not 100%, someone may comment better, but if u can catch it flaring that would help, but I think it's likely that's a male PK. But I maybe wrong.

by **liz2** on Sun May 30, 2010 12:42 pm

yes thats the best put a mirror next to it and if the frill when it flares goes all the way round its little face it s a boy!

by **Haych** on Sun May 30, 2010 3:58 pm

looks female to me - too skinny for a male (unless I have it backwards!)

by **silverrabbit** on Sun May 30, 2010 8:49 pm

From looking at my girls mine are all chubbier around the belly, esp when viewed from the top (eggs I suppose). This one also seems to have quite long ventrals for a girl, but maybe it's just long finned.

I think boy, but I get it wrong all the time lol!

3 will most probably fight anyway, it's not agreat number, especially in 30l, unless you make it into a nice jungle Smile

by **Wilsonnw8** on Sun May 30, 2010 10:05 pm

I would say that might be a young male VT, normally we find people come across young male Plakats, but young male Vt's sometimes slip in, can you see a white spot an ovi? and is his/her beard full? as the others asked?
Im thinking if you are noticing overt agression and you cant see an Ovi at all this may be a male veil tail

by **Haych** on Sun May 30, 2010 10:24 pm

ooohhhh of course - Pete started out like that - and he had the ovi for ages.

never crossed my mind he could be a VT

by **Taelin** on Sun May 30, 2010 10:34 pm

My son's 'red boy' started out looking like that, complete with ovi spot, but after over a year, suddenly developed long fins and turned into a damned beautiful VT male. I would separate this one just to be safe, Tux. :D

by **Lairewen** on Mon May 31, 2010 2:39 pm

Thanks all. I'm still not sure, I can't *see* an oviposter, but it's hard to get a good look. I've seperated them... one has gone into my community tank and looks dreadful, but is still eating and swimming. The other is in a 5L tub and tbh I don't give much for her chances. Sad

She was stuck to the filter when I found her this morning. I could cry.

Tae, I *will* catch you on YIM soon! I hate time zones!

by **Taelin** on Mon May 31, 2010 2:40 pm

I'm on right now! :P

by **silverrabbit** on Mon May 31, 2010 11:24 pm

Sorry the girls aren't looking good Sad

by **Newfishy** on Tue Jun 01, 2010 4:16 pm

just three is never a good number, just not enough to spread out the aggresion. the above fish looks suspishishly long and lean with no sign of a egg belly. many many male vts start out just like that.

by **Lairewen** on Mon Jun 07, 2010 2:42 am

I lost Vaire, the girl in the tub. Sad

I am cautiously optimistic about Vana, the girl I dumped unceremoniously into my community tank. Her fins are still ragged, but she's active, eating and has regained some colour. I've also discovered that she's a friendly little thing and always swins up to say hello! I hope she makes it, I've become very attached!

by **silverrabbit** on Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:55 pm

RIP Vaire, i'm sorry hun

Female or male? Please help

Female or male? Please help

Re: Female or male? Please help

Re: Female or male? Please help

Re: Female or male? Please help

Re: Female or male? Please help

Re: Female or male? Please help

Re: Female or male? Please help

Re: Female or male? Please help

Re: Female or male? Please help

Re: Female or male? Please help

Re: Female or male? Please help

Re: Female or male? Please help

Re: Female or male? Please help

Re: Female or male? Please help