Convict Sexing

Jan 20, 2005
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#1
I read somewhere that the females are smaller and have golden scales on their belly. With my pair, the larger is about 3 1/2'' with only slight coloration other than the black & white stripes. The other is half that size w/ a golden belly & some beautiful turquoise coloration on the fins. The thing that confuses me is that when they mate, I notice the eggs on the cave wall & it looks like the smaller one is fertilizing them. As far as trying to tell by behavior, they are constantly breeding so they are both very defensive/aggressive. I confused!
 

phOOey

Superstar Fish
Oct 31, 2003
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#2
one of the easiest ways to tell is to look at there dorsal and anal fins, on a male they're longer and pointed, and on a female they're shorter and rounded.
 

Jul 9, 2003
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#4
With my convicts, sexing by fins were thrown out the window. My female had the most pointed fins i've ever seen with huge trailers.

From just hearing the description i'd say the smaller one is the female, larger is male. However the small one fertilizing the eggs doesn't sound right? Maybe she was just making another egg pass on the side of the cave?
 

Jan 20, 2005
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#5
From my memory, that is how both of 'em are: long, poited fins, trailers, etc. So, that probably won't work.

Come to think of it, I don't think I have ever seen the big one in the cave after the eggs have been placed.

Guess I'll just have to watch the tank even more (as if I don't do it enough already)!
 

Jan 20, 2005
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#6
Okay! I am SOOOO CONFUSED!!! I did my usual good full hour of tank watching last night trying to focus mainly on my convicts. The smaller, more colorful one seems to be much more aggressive and he/she likes to nudge & kiss the side of the bigger one. Also, the big one will start to mess with Jack, my Jack Dempsey (original, huh) whom has been hiding out in a crevice on the other side of the convict's cave (that's another issue) and the smaller one will come over and start nudging the big one as if he/she is saying "leave him alone!" It is very interesting to say the least!