[jmg16]

Ok ok, that title is a joke -- but it's also not.

My D. auratus "el cope" trio are approaching 2 years old and I still am debating with myself who is a boy and who is a girl.

I know for sure #1 is male (I've seen him calling), but it looks like a female (large, more arched spine). #2 is smaller (male trait), but more pear-shaped (female trait). And #3 is somewhere in between. My best guess is 2:1, since #3 more closely resembles #1, who I know is male. This all has me very confused, and a little worried, as their reclusive behavior as of late indicates possible aggression -- but I wouldn't know who is aggressing who!

Here are some pictures -- help me out dendro-experts!

 

[Johanovich]

Ok ok, that title is a joke -- but it's also not.

My D. auratus "el cope" trio are approaching 2 years old and I still am debating with myself who is a boy and who is a girl.

I know for sure #1 is male (I've seen him calling), but it looks like a female (large, more arched spine). #2 is smaller (male trait), but more pear-shaped (female trait). And #3 is somewhere in between. My best guess is 2:1, since #3 more closely resembles #1, who I know is male. This all has me very confused, and a little worried, as their reclusive behavior as of late indicates possible aggression -- but I wouldn't know who is aggressing who!

Here are some pictures -- help me out dendro-experts!

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In my experience, auratus can be very difficult to accurately determine gender based on visuals. You could remove the male and wait for a few weeks. Usually if there is another male present he will start calling pretty soon after the dominant male disappears.

 

[jmg16]

In my experience, auratus can be very difficult to accurately determine gender based on visuals. You could remove the male and wait for a few weeks. Usually if there is another male present he will start calling pretty soon after the dominant male disappears.

That's good to know, thanks! The issue in Auratus is usually female on female aggression, right?