Determine the Sex of a Fish

Figuring out the sex of a specific fish can be easy or extremely hard. Ultimately, the difficulty depends on the species of the fish. While some fish exhibit many physical signs of their sex, others exhibit hardly any at all. To figure out the sex of a fish, you’ll have to observe the fish’s physical attributes and behavior. In addition, you may gain information by consulting books, videos, and people who specialize in fish. In the end, you’ll be much better equipped to determine the sex of a fish.

Steps

Observing Fish to Determine Sex

  1. Look for a nuchal hump on male fish. A nuchal hump is a small bump on the forehead of a fish. The presence of one can be taken as confirmation that a fish is male. As a result, look carefully to see if a specific fish has or doesn’t have a nuchal hump.
    • Many species of fish won’t have a nuchal hump, and if they do, it might not be apparent.
    • Nuchal humps as an indicator a fish is a male are very pronounced on cichlid fish like tilapia, angelfish, oscars, and discus.[1]
  2. Spot a larger anal fin on certain male fish. Fish in the family Poeciliidae have a modified anal fin that is used for sexual reproduction. This fin looks like a triangle. The presence of this attribute on certain fish may help confirm that they are male.
    • This is an appropriate way to identify the sex of mollies, guppies, swordtails, platies, and wags.[2]
  3. Identify a male fish if it has large dorsal or anal fins. Some male fish, like cichlid species, have dorsal and anal fins larger than their female counterparts. By comparing several different examples of the same fish, you’ll be able to determine the sex of a cichlid fish.
    • Cichlid fish include tilapia, angelfish, oscars, and discus.[2]
  4. Watch for seasonal bumps on male fish. Some male fish, like goldfish, develop many small bumps on them during the spring. These bumps usually develop on the forehead, near the gills, and on the pectoral fins. These bumps will disappear at the end of breeding season, in the early summer.
    • Bumps may vary in size and color, depending on the species.[2]
  5. Note that larger fish may be female. With some species, like koi, female fish may be larger. This is especially true during spawning time, when females will appear more full-bodied and may have larger abdomens.
    • The roundness of a female fish is often a result of an accumulation of eggs or fry. [2]
  6. Watch for flashy growth on males during breeding season. During breeding season, male fish will tend to grow or develop attributes that make them flashier. It is important to note, though, that female fish may develop similar features but to a less extreme extent.
    • Male pleco fish, for example, will grow long bristles on their pectoral fins as well as around the edge of their mouth and head. While females will grow similar bristles, they’ll tend to be smaller.[3]
  7. Look for aggressive behavior to identify a male fish. Aggressive behavior can be identified as being very territorial. In addition, aggressive fish may swim quickly at other fish that come near them. Sometimes, males are more aggressive than females. However, sometimes behavior may not tell you much at all about sex.
    • Male pleco fish may be more aggressive. This, though, might vary based on the type of pleco fish. Some common names of pleco fish include: algae suckers, janitor fish, and suckermouth catfish.[3]

Consulting Experts

  1. Read about a specific species of fish. While there are some general traits you can look for when trying to determine the sex of a fish, the best way to determine sex is to read about the specific fish in question. When doing this:
    • Visit your local library. Your local library may have several books on specific fish and their physiology.
    • Consult books like the Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology, available online or at your local library.[4]
  2. Talk to a professional or expert. Workers at fish stores, veterinarians, or biologists may be able to provide you with insight on a specific fish’s sex. If you have difficulty determining the sex of a fish, you should seek help from a professional.
    • Visit a local fish store – the more fish they have the better – with a picture of the fish and ask store employees if they can help identify the sex of the fish. If the store carries the specifies of fish in question, they’ll likely be able to help you.
  3. Watch videos. There are a wide variety of videos on the internet or television about fish and how to determine their sex. Take some time to search the internet for videos that might be helpful. You may wind up learning a lot about fish physiology and reproduction.
    • Watch videos on YouTube.
    • Think about shows on Animal Planet or National Geographic.

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.allaquariuminfo.com/2012/01/how-do-i-tell-sex-of-my-fish.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 http://www.petplace.com/article/fish/general/reproduction-breeding-of-fish/telling-a-male-from-a-female-fish
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://animals.mom.me/determine-pleco-fishs-gender-4100.html
  4. ↑ http://www.petplace.com/article/fish/general/reproduction-breeding-of-fish/telling-a-male-from-a-female-fish/

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