Male or Female

Please sex these two fish for me if you can. I was under the impression that they were both males, but now that they have grown some, I think they are both females.

 

Hi Kuhli,

Just two questions... How old are they?? What size are they (including tail)??

From a quick glance I would say they are both young males? They look too colourful to be females? Its the dorsal fin tha makes me think this.... Females lack colour except for maybe a spot, where as males have colour through out their Fin!

Just checking that they are Cacatuoides? THe nose looks a little too pointy, but otherwise they look to be Caca's!!

Regards
G!

 

Hi Big G

As you have said, they are A. cacatuoides. They are both about 40mm long including the tail fin. Their age I would guess around 6 to 8 months.

 

Ok, taking into account the size, and the second cup of coffee kicking in, I'm actually starting to think both Female?

Looking closer at the pics, the markings on the tail are not what you would expect on a Male, and are more consistant with a female!

The Dorsal fin also looks like it actually is not ALL the one colour, but rather has an orange/red stripe at the front, and then a fade into the same colour at the rear?? If so, then defo females!

Regards
G!

Just another question.... Is there a black stripe up the front spine on the dorsal??

Cheers
G!

 

This is the same fish as in the first photo. Maybe it will help.


The first spine on the dorsal fin is black on the fish in the first photo. Not to sure about the fish in the second photo, but it seems as if it is also black. Will make 100% sure this afternoon.

 

Ok, well I'm still going with Females, especially the first one, but I have to say that they are the brightest coloured females I've seen!!

Is there any chance you can get a clearer pic of the second one?? The pectoral fins are what is giving me doubts?? Is this one a little smaller than the other one??

Regards
G!

 

Big G – the fish in the second photo is a bit smaller that the one in the first photo, and it’s colors are not as intense. The fish in the first photo also dominates the one in the second photo. I will try and get a better photo over the weekend.

Thanks for your help.

 

No probs, I always at least try to help out where possible!!

Have fun!
G!

Oh, and if you are able, please try and get a shot with the dorsal up! That may help considerably??

Cheers
G!

 

So – your verdict on what you can see and the info I have been able to give you? Both females?

 

The first one i'm almost certain, the second I'm not as sure on, but think so?\

Maybe Dolphin or the Prof will share their opinion? Dolphin usually says the opposite to me, but is usually more right!! Lol!!

Cheers
G!

 

Hopefully some of the other member will also give their opinion. Assuming you are right, I am looking for a nice male to pair off with the “female†in the first photo.
Dolphin, do you have any males available, or any of the other members in Johannesburg or Pretoria.
Any suggestions on the type of male I should look for.

 

Again, judging by the pics you posted, I would havard a guess as to say that they are Sunburst offspring, but infact are actually Double/Tripple Red themselves.

This is because Sunbursts do not bread true, and so in every batch you will get some Sunburst, some Double Red, some Tripple Red and even some 'single' Red!

So I would say, get yourself a Tripple Red or Double Red Caca male. You could get a Sunburst male, but the kids are less likely to be Sunbursts I would think? Thats of course assuming they actually pair off and breed??

Cheers
G!

 

I'm really not too sure on the species ID here, it looks like a cross of sorts... and this is whats making it difficult to properly id the sexes... I'm not convinced that they're females... cacautoides females, even small ones, have a very simple tell that ids the female - the pelvic fins are black, with some yellow or white. They are also typically pale to very light yellow when not in breeding condition.

1st step, is to determine the species or variant...

Here's some info off the net that could help id them:

MALE
1) Caudal (tail) fin is lyrate in mature specimens.
2) Dorsal (top) fin of males have long membranes, typically from the
2nd to 8th spines.
3) Size is bigger then female






FEMALE
1) Caudal fin is round or just slightly truncate
2) Dorsal fin tips are short
3) When ready/during breeding, female is yellow in colour.
4) Ventral fin is black especially during breeding.
5) Size is smaller then males.

 

Hey A!!

Thanks for that!! I also was unsure it IS actually Cacatuoides, hence my question at the start!! Could not ID it as any other of the group either though, so maybe you are right and it is indeed a cross between the group?? There is definately some Cacatuoides in there I would say??

Kuhli, do you mind if I ask where you got them from??

It is the Pelvic fins that were making me second guess myself all along, particularly in that second pic!! The blue colouration was what brought this doubt!! But this is where I think at least one of the parents was a Sunburst Caca??

Whats your take on the Caudal fin colouration A? The Spotted colours out on the edges is what makes me think female??

I have to admit that these two fish have me a little stumped!! The more I look at the pics, the more doubt that sets in!!

Cheers
G!

Oh, and the other thing that caused confusion is the blue eye and the small blue patch under the eye!!

What so you make of that A??

Cheers
G!

 

I will spend some time in front of the tank with the camera this weekend, and get some better photos. Well I hope I will. Then post some of the best ones on Monday. Maybe it will give you guys a better idea. Hopefully it won’t create more confusion.

 

A: If I judge them from the web photos that you have posted, I would say they are female. The only thing that baffles me is the coloration of the one fish. They both have simple tail fins, and not the flashy dorsal fins of the males. With which other Apisto would the cacatuoides cross breed?

 

if you just glance at the photos without taking a close look at the detail, they show Viejita patterns...

 

Hey Kuhli, do you mind if I copy the pictures to post on another forum full of Apisto Experts??

Cheers
G!

 

Feel free to post them on another forum G.

 

Ok, have done that, so we'll see what they say??

Cheers!
G!