Sexing goldfish (with photos)!

[Flaringshutter]

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/goldfish/info/sexing-fs.htm



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

 

[Dangerdoll]

invaluable post, thanks!!!

 

[Flaringshutter]

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

 

[BrkD]

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

 

[Flaringshutter]

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]

thank you.

 

[Buckdog]

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

 

[caitylee]

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

 

[jaysen]

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

 

[DAVIDFBT]

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?