[The Dude]

I got this one a week ago and I was sure it was a male. It was the dominant one in the tank, now I'm not too sure

Pic is a little dark

This one I just got today. The guy at the store also stated it was a male. Again I'm not too sure

 

[The Dude]

Any guesses? One has black on the pelvic fins and the other doesn't

 

[greenman857]

Both look like females to me. Typically males have a longer dorsal fin than the females. Of course anythings possible and younger fish wont have developed that yet.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/...hlids/18640_Mikrogeophagus_ramirezi_700s1.jpg

 

[Aquatic Delight]

two looks more female. the only certain way to tell is the belly color. the black, and length of fins is not 100%

 

[@[email protected]]

from what i hear, belly color is not 100% either.
i was told to look for color on the black side spot. if there is blue over it, it is female (i think, doublecheck on that). it worked for me, i got a spawn, but they ate the eggs and later i got rid of em.

 

[sbarbee54]

They both look like females, belly is a great tell sign if they are in optimal water and in spawning conditions. Mine always are. Females bellys get a pright pink.

But they both look stressed witht he lack of color showing. What are your water conditions

 

[The Dude]

Neither one of them fits the descriptions I've seen 100% for being a male or female. The most recent one is super bright and has a noticably pink belly that developed when I put it in the tank when I got home. Both have some blue sheen on the black spot. The one with the pink belly has a ton of blue sheen. I guess two females is better than 2 males?? Are they monogamous or will a male be good with 2 females? It's a 46g Bowfront. I'm a little hesitant to get a third hoping for a male

 

[The Dude]

They both look like females, belly is a great tell sign if they are in optimal water and in spawning conditions. Mine always are. Females bellys get a pright pink.

But they both look stressed witht he lack of color showing. What are your water conditions

PH is 7.4
Ammonia is 0
Nitrite is 0
Nitrate is 30ppm

 

[@[email protected]]

ph is above optimal. these fish like soft, acidic water. wont kill em, but if you can lower the ph, theyd probably show better color and more activity.

 

[sbarbee54]

I would take the nitrate down a little too 10-20 is max I would do with them. I keep mine at 5-10


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[The Dude]

ph is above optimal. these fish like soft, acidic water. wont kill em, but if you can lower the ph, theyd probably show better color and more activity.

I don't know how I left this out as I'm sure it plays a HUGE part, but since I had a heater fail years ago and cook a whole tank I have gone heaterless. Being as I keep my house at 72* I'm sure this is a big part. I'm going tomorrow to get a heater for this tank. The titaniums seem to have the best reliability I've seen

 

[Aquatic Delight]

from what i hear, belly color is not 100% either.
i was told to look for color on the black side spot. if there is blue over it, it is female (i think, doublecheck on that). it worked for me, i got a spawn, but they ate the eggs and later i got rid of em.

the color on the black spot is genetic and not sexual. the belly is the only 100% sure way to sex them. i seen said on this board over and over again, and ime that has been the only certain way to sex them short of being a GBR or EBR.

I don't know how I left this out as I'm sure it plays a HUGE part, but since I had a heater fail years ago and cook a whole tank I have gone heaterless. Being as I keep my house at 72* I'm sure this is a big part. I'm going tomorrow to get a heater for this tank. The titaniums seem to have the best reliability I've seen

that sounds like it could be another issue. i kept in a ph where you have them, and they did fine.

if i were you i would add the thermometer bring the tank tank temp up, and see how they do. if they are still stressed out, on your next water include some r/o water, to bring down the ph.

 

[NWGBR]

Feed blood worms too that helps along with a water change

 

[sapphoqueen]

i was triked last time so now i have 2 males and no females )))))))) they chase and fight all the time

 

[NWGBR]

i was triked last time so now i have 2 males and no females )))))))) they chase and fight all the time

I found out that hard way and now only double the number of females to males. More males only makes the process harder and more stressful on the fish keeper.