[Cichlidsrule102]

Hi all, I have a firemouth cichlid around two inches long, and it doesnt seem aggressive at all. It is usually quite shy and retiring. When I hold a mirror up to it it doesnt flare at all, but assumes a head down position, usually side on. Is this a female trait? thanks for your help.

 

[Agent13]

post a pic clear enough and I should be able to tell you ..
They don't necessarily flare at people..and I wouldn't assume thats indicative of which sex it is.. They flare more so at each other. I have tons of cichlids and none of them ever flare at me..even the most aggressive african cichlid I own.. he does bite me rather hard if I put my hand near his cave though. one of my angels kinda charged and flared at me once in the more then 1 yr I've had her..but that was because I fed her fry to make them scatter and annoy her lol.
I find fin shapes to be the most reliable way to sex most fish.. especially cichlids .

however shy is a worrisome behavior.. especially for a cichlid. either your fish is unwell or "unhappy" for some reason.

 

[Cichlidsrule102]

Yeah, I mean when I put a mirror on the glass in front of it, so it sees another firemouth. And its quite typical for firemouths to be a little bit shy, they are certainly not as outgoing as other, more agressive types of cichlids. I'll post a pic, but unfortunately fin shape, or even colour is no indicator of sex with fire mouth cichlids. But mine has a bit of a rounder, plumper body shape than males that I have seen, which is apparently a female trait. this will give you an idea of the general body shape, I'll try and get a better one later when it sees the mirror.

 

[jeaninel]

At 2" it still may be too young to sex. I couldn't really tell until my firemouths were around the 4" mark and even then it's very hard to tell with any certainty other than venting them or until you see them spawn.
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[Agent13]

At 2" it still may be too young to sex. I couldn't really tell until my firemouths were around the 4" mark and even then it's very hard to tell with any certainty other than venting them or until you see them spawn.
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I'd agree with you to some degree... as in me sexing the fish now would be an educated guess.. but still can be sexed. venting isn't really easy till 3-4inches but fin shapes do show a bt at 2inches..only the coloring will not help you at 2inches

it's hard to see with the blue net confusing my view on the fins but I'd guess male.. another pic would be great if you can get the side view clearly with no net in the way or maybe a white net..

 

[Cichlidsrule102]

Hey, as best as I could do for now, the first two are it reacting to the reflection in the mirror, the last one is as good as I could do on the side on for now, I'll try for a better pic of it side on later

 

[Cichlidsrule102]

Only one came through, I'll post the reaction ones again

 

[Cichlidsrule102]

Here is it reacting to 'another' fire mouth

 

[Cichlidsrule102]

Another one of it reacting to its reflection

 

[fish monger]

Looks like a female to me.

 

[Agent13]

yes.. I agree.. It's more female looking in a clear oil..mind you. this isn't 100% sexing this way. Venting is most accurate but fins tell a lot. Fins do look a good bit more female.

 

[Cichlidsrule102]

cool, I was hoping for a female, as I am keeping it in a community tank with cory cats and larger tetras. So far it ignores them and shows no sign of being aggressive or territorial. And the head and tail light tetras are great dithers, and I'm thinking of maybe also getting some black neon tetras. All the fish in the tank must feel pretty safe,as I'm watching one of my bronze cores swimming around in the top 1/3 of the tank, and all the fish are always out and about. MIXING CICHLIDS AND TETRAS IS POSSIBLE!

 

[Cichlidsrule102]

When looking side on, the firemouths genital papilla is pointed, if thats any help. cheers, Jim