firemouth sexing

[ESOXLUCIOUSS]

Ok,
Cycled out tank, filter fine and added all the usual over the last few weeks..

Tank now set up and have now got three angels, three kribs..a male and 2 females and 5 corys. three firemouths..How can u tell the male from female firemouths..


Regards,
Denis

[ESOXLUCIOUSS]

They are juveniles, would like to post pics,, dont know how though

[Ruben Tolon]

how big is the tank? if those firemouths pair up they will probably shred your angels

[MySpace Mike]

ok you cant sex FireMouths until theyre are around 3-4", males will have elongated dorsal and anal fins, brighter coloring, and are bigger then females. Females will be shorter and fatter in the belly with shorter dorsal and anal fins. Here is a pic of my male FireMouth "Bubba Gump"

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/2451/bubbagumpfiremouthzc5.jpg

[ESOXLUCIOUSS]

Its a jewel rio 240litre tank...
They seem to be ok t the moment.
Regards,
Denis

[ESOXLUCIOUSS]

Only getting used to taking pics, there are two firemouths with pronounced redness on gills an under jaw the last opic seems to have less colour..???

[MySpace Mike]

theyre still to young to sex right now. I agree that once you end up with a pair in the FireMouths, they will tear your Angels apart, especially if the pair is spawning.

[Nolapete]

Firemouths can be sexed at smaller than 3-4 inches. Most CA/SA cichlids can be sexed at 1.5-2" most readily by the distinct difference in their dorsal fins. With a little experience, it's pretty much 99% accurate. Males will have an arrow shaped dorsal fin and the females will have a squared-off or rounded dorsal fin. Ignore any of the tiny streamers on the tip of the dorsal fin when sexing any CA/SA cichlid. Well-conditioned fish, regardless of sex, will exhibit these streamers. The only method more accurate than this is tube venting which can't really be done until the fish is sexually mature. Male firemouths will exhibit strong red throating at 1.5-2" as well.

[Nolapete]

You clearly have a pair. Easily sexed via your pictures. Look at the dorsal fins and see that they do match up to the male with the red on him and the female without the red.

[ESOXLUCIOUSS]

HAVE TRIED TO GET BETTER PICS BUT THEY WONT CO-OPERATE..LOL...

Will HAve another go later.. U think there aare a pair.. I love the Angels so i will have to move the firemouths.TO ANOTHER TANK. Are there any other cichlids that will live with angels..
What about the kribs are they ok.
Regards,
DENIS

[Mr.Firemouth]

Hi guys!

Many people send me PM's across the Net on the other forums I am on and ask me to SEX their Firemouths via pictures to tell them if they have a pair or not.

So, being that I happen to have 3 breeding pairs right now, I decided to take some video and try to explain it. Don't worry, one day I will get a better camera!

So, hopefully this video helps...

Breeding Pairs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axdPCWzkjio)

Enjoy!!!!! :D

[Nolapete]

Kribs get mixed reviews. I find them to be peaceful with other fish even when spawning, but I've known people who swear they will tear everything they put in with them up. My albino female gets along with even my tiny pencilfish.

Festivum go well with angels. Any of the apistos most likely because they inhabit a different area of the tank. GBR could probably do well, but I have no experience keeping them with angels.

Curviceps or dorsigera would be good with angels as would Nannacara anomala.

[ESOXLUCIOUSS]

Cheers thanks for the advice Nolapete..

Great video Mr.Firemouth

[ESOXLUCIOUSS]

From the advice given i think i have two mails and a female.:)

[MySpace Mike]

very nice looking tank i must admit. have you thought of adding a couple plants to the tank? My Firemouths love hiding in the plants in their tank, except now theyre stuck watching over the around 150 fry in their tank, plus i have a fry tank with about another 80 Firemouth fry in it, the Firemouths have taken over my house, haha. All my fry are from the same adult pair.

Good luck with your Males, and Female.

[ESOXLUCIOUSS]

no news on my firemouths but the kribs wont stop laying.. they have taken over my house