sexing africans

[Catlid]

I wanted to know how to sex red zebras, and Pseudotropheus elongatus. And if u know how to sex any other cool looking africans thanks.

[jimbo]

Depends on how old they are.
As with most cichlids it's hard, if not impossible, to tell the different between male and female when they're still juvs. Except for M.estherae; their offspring will show blue males and orange females as soon as they leave mamas' mouth.

As for sexing Pseudotropheus sp. elongatus, it shouldn't be that difficult. Females - except for P.sp."elongatus ruarwe" Charo - are yellowish or brownish depending on which population you have. The females from Charo are also blue-striped but not as bright as the male.

Jimmy

[Catlid]

what is the best way to get breeding pairs of african cichlids?

[valerie]

If you are talking about mbuna or malawi cihclids then most dont' form pairs, they are polygamous(sp?) and should be kept with 1 male to as many females you can(min 2).

The best way to have this happen is to buy a group of around 6 and wait fo rthem to mature. You will be able to tell which are males by coloring(if the male and females are different colors) or by behaviour in species that both sexes are the same. Take out the extra males or aggresive fish.

[Catlid]

i have a slender mbuna which is really aggressive. ive seen pics of the females and they were like a pinkish color, is that correct?

[valerie]

I think females are pickish/orange when stressed
He prevents the other elongatus from displaying her blue colors. When she was younger, he had her so stressed that her color was almost orange. Within 30-seconds of separating them, she had regained her full color
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/p_elongatus.php

And i also checked the photo gallery at cichlid-forum.com for females but only found unsexed juvies and males. the unsexed juvies were blue so i guess both males and females look the same.

For fish that both sexes are the same color the only real way to determine sex is to vent them or wait untill you see them spawn.Holding fish are obviously females :p