Sexing goldfish (with photos)!

Flaringshutter · 02-16-2007, 1:00 PM

At about two years for males, and three years for females, goldfish begin to show signs that can help identify males and females. My darlings started to show and I was able to get a few good shots, so I thought I'd post them.

Males develop tubercles, white spots on gill covers, as Napoleon, a comet, shows here:

And as my little fancy shows here:

However, Upstart, a female, has compeletely smooth gill covers:

An excellent site with more photos can be found here:

http://www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/.../sexing-fs.htm

If anyone else has photos of their goldfish mating or showing tubercles, feel free to add them.

Dangerdoll · 02-16-2007, 1:14 PM

invaluable post, thanks!!!

Flaringshutter · 06-04-2007, 1:19 PM

Short update- I have a new photo of the tubercles visible on the male's fins. Check it out.

BrkD · 12-01-2007, 1:13 AM

cool, at what age will they show signs of their sex?

Flaringshutter · 12-01-2007, 11:08 AM

between two and four years, depending on conditions. most show signs at two and a half, but can't actually breed until about three.

BrkD · 12-06-2007, 12:55 AM

thank you.

Buckdog · 12-08-2007, 9:13 PM

Yeah, thanx. I think now one of my Shubs is male. But my two Wakins and the "Halloween" Shub are blank.

caitylee · 04-01-2008, 2:31 PM

How do you know how old your goldfish are? I have 6 goldfish and I have no idea how old they are.

jaysen · 04-01-2008, 4:09 PM

thanks for sharing! amazing info. i hope people dont confuse the tubercles for ick.

DAVIDFBT · 04-01-2008, 6:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caitylee

How do you know how old your goldfish are? I have 6 goldfish and I have no idea how old they are.

how big are they?