How to find out what gender a fish is. How to distinguish a female goldfish from a male? Sexual differences in the mutant barb

Everyone wants to know the gender of their goldfish, unless of course the goldfish are purely for decorative purposes. True goldfish lovers usually want to produce offspring from them, and this is where gender determination becomes especially important. There are several ways to determine the sex of goldfish.

During the spawning season, male goldfish are easier to identify than females. Males develop tubercles or white bumps, growths along pectoral fins and gill covers. In addition, the male develops jagged teeth on the paired front fins, the so-called “saw”. Females become slightly asymmetrical, especially in the abdominal area. They look bloated.

Photo of the structure of a goldfish


Photo of a male goldfish
The photo clearly shows the tubercles that cast the Golden male from the female.

At the end of the spawning period and after several seasons of spawning, some males have a hard chest area. This condition is quite difficult to determine, so those who are not capable of this can only console themselves with the knowledge that not many can distinguish a female goldfish from a male.

Here are a few more ways to determine the sex of a goldfish, but even they are useless, if the fish is not at least a year old*, that is, if the fish has not reached sexual maturity.

1. Males have a growth that extends through the back of the pelvic fin to the anus. In females this growth is either completely absent or much smaller.

2. In females, the area between the ventral and anal fins is soft, while in males it is hard.

3. Although it is difficult to see, the anus of females is round and convex, while the anus of males is thinner and concave.

4. The male's pelvic fins are pointed, while the female's pelvic fins are round and shorter.

5. The color of females is brighter and they are more active. This method will undoubtedly help to distinguish the female.

6. You can introduce a female goldfish into the aquarium and observe the reaction of the other goldfish. The males will swim up to the new fish, but the females will not show interest.

Here's another photo of male and female goldfish

photo male goldfish Oranda male goldfish Telescope


Photo of a female Telescope goldfish

photo of female goldfish Veiltail


photo of male and female goldfish Koi carp
Useful video on how to determine the gender of a goldfish - male or female, boy or girl :)

* Don’t be surprised if in a pet store, when buying goldfish, when you ask, give a male and a female, they will tell you that this is not possible! Sexual differences in the goldfish family appear only with the onset of maturity, i.e. after 1 year.

Oranda - little red cap fish

Appearance

The difference between a male and a female

The sexual characteristics of these fish are weakly expressed, and it is unlikely to be possible to determine the sex of a particular individual with a 100% guarantee before spawning. Males are usually slightly smaller than females, and during the breeding season they have white spots on their heads.

Orandas are long-lived and, if properly maintained, live in an aquarium for up to 15 years, growing up to 24 cm.

Compatibility with other fish

Features of behavior

Feeding

Oranda - fish with a headdress

Description

Feeding

Compatibility

Breeding

The aquarium red cap becomes sexually mature by 1.5 years. For breeding, individuals from 2 years old are selected. It is best to breed orandas in the spring, when the belly of the females begins to fill with eggs, and the males stay near the ovipositor. You will need a container of at least 50 liters with a temperature of 23°-24°C. The female and a pair of males are pre-seated for 2 weeks and fed with live food. A smooth substrate, a protective net and plants are placed in the spawning tank. Spawning begins early in the morning and lasts several hours. The number of eggs depends on the health and maturity of the female; usually these prolific fish lay from 2 thousand eggs.

After spawning, the producers need to be removed. It is also necessary to inspect the eggs and remove cloudy and whitish ones. Incubation period lasts 2-3 days. The starting food for swimming fry is live dust. As the fry grow older, they are sorted to avoid eating smaller and weaker fish. The fry are also fed rotifers and special goldfish food. The fry are born with yellow caps and grow slowly. You can achieve a red tint on the cap with special food to improve the color and with coloring injections.

How to distinguish a female from a male fish:: aquarium fish analysis:: Aquarium fish

Distinguish fish It’s not easy based on gender. This can only be done visually, but even in this case, the result may be unreliable. It’s much easier to ask the seller right away when purchasing. But even the person selling fish does not always know who is male and who is female. Try to produce comparative analysis individuals by their appearance.

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Instructions

1. Determining the sex of a fish by size is quite difficult. Females are not always smaller than males. During the period of preparation for spawning, an increase in the size of the abdomen is observed in females, while in males everything remains the same.

2. It is worth paying attention to their color. Males have a bright color, while females, on the contrary, more often have a plain appearance.

3. The fins and tail of males are usually longer than those of females. The color is bright and rich. Sometimes changes in the color of the fins are noticeable during the spawning period. At this time, they become even brighter and additional pigmentation appears.
The fin color of females remains unchanged.

4. If you can't tell the difference male from a female, but you see a visual difference in their structure, then most likely you have fish of different sexes and, perhaps, offspring will appear in the near future. If there are no differences, then contact a pet store. Consult a specialist and buy another fish.

How to distinguish a female molly:: how to grow molly:: Aquarium fish

Mollies- These are aquarium fish of the poeciliaceae family. IN wildlife Various types of mollies live in the waters of Mexico, Colombia, America, and Mexico. Males and female mollies are distinguished by the shape of their anal fin. Females have more round shape body and are viviparous, i.e. They do not spawn, but give birth to live fry.

Instructions

1. Males differ from females in the shape, size and structure of their fins.

2. Males are usually smaller than females and reach only 8 cm in length, while females can be up to 12 cm.

3. Males have a more elongated body, in contrast to the rounded body of females.

4. Male mollies are distinguished by the presence of an anal fin tubular shape- gonopodium. This fin is a reproductive organ and is located under the abdomen of the fish.

5. It is believed that mollies are quite capricious in their maintenance. They require significant aquarium volumes (at least 6 liters per pair of adults), clean, clear, oxygen-rich water with weekly changes.

6. To allow reproduction, it is necessary to provide many open areas in the aquarium, as well as many thickets and snags for shelter. In addition, mollies are heat-loving (water temperature 25-30o C). IN fresh water it is necessary to add sea or table salt (2-3 g per liter).

7. A mollies aquarium should be well lit most times of the day. Natural sunlight is also necessary.

8. Mollies They eat everything; their food can be live, plant-based or dry. Be sure to have various herbal supplements. These fish live up to 5 years, so even the most inexperienced aquarists are advised to breed them.

9. Female mollies are viviparous, i.e. They do not spawn, but give birth to live fry.
Sexual maturity occurs at 1 year. Females and males can be kept in the same tank until the female becomes pregnant.

10. Then it should be removed male from the aquarium so that it does not irritate the female. After 35-45 days, the female will be able to bear her first offspring. For the first time, a female can give birth to up to 30 fry. Labor can last several hours.

11. After giving birth to fry, some females look round because they contain fertilized eggs in the womb, which then develop into new fry. So, in a month she will again be able to give birth to another batch of small mollies. The female can give birth 5-6 times. Then she should be placed with the male again.

note

When buying a fish, pay attention to whether its anal fin ends in a brush. Often, industrial hybrids of mollies and guppies - guppinesia - are sold under the guise of luxurious mollies. These fish are sterile.

Helpful advice

After your female molly has given birth, examine her carefully. If the fish still looks round, do not rush to put it back into the community aquarium. Most likely, there are still fertilized eggs in her womb, and in a month she will give birth to another batch of fry.

Goldfish are traditionally a favorite among aquarists. Avid fans are not afraid of the difficulties in maintaining these amazing creatures, because in appearance these fish look truly royal. Many aquarists are also engaged in targeted breeding of these representatives of the aquarium ichthyofauna, which is not an easy task with many unknowns. Difficulties begin with determining the sex of a goldfish, because males and females of most varieties are not much different from each other. And their behavior outside the breeding season is largely similar.

Today we will look into the features of the appearance and behavior of these amazing creatures, who, according to legend, are capable of making wishes come true. Unfortunately, there are no universal and absolute recommendations in this aspect, because even experienced aquarists often confuse females and males, especially those who have not reached sexual maturity. And this is important not only for breeding, because some hobbyists even assign their own names to the fish. You call the fish Vasily, and it starts laying eggs. The fish doesn’t care, but the owner will be upset!

Difficulties in determining the sex of goldfish

Unfortunately, there are no specific tests to identify male and female goldfish. Aquarists have to rely on the visual features of both sexes, as well as their characteristic behavioral traits.

• The tips listed below only work for properly kept and well-fed individuals. If fish are kept in improper conditions and fed improperly, gender differences are erased.
• Maximum confidence is provided by the study of sexually mature individuals. It is during the period of readiness for reproduction that individuals acquire the characteristics inherent to their sex. Males of this species mature much earlier than females. The former can reach maturity by 9 months, while the latter sometimes take three years to prepare for the first spawn.
• Gender identification of many breeds is particularly difficult. In some breeds, representatives of both sexes are endowed with dense, round bodies, so you have to rely on a combination of other characteristics. Gender identification is especially difficult among Ranchu and Ryukins.

External features of females

Inexperienced aquarists often believe that females are more plump, less active and not as brightly colored as males. However, this is not always the case, so let’s focus on more typical gender characteristics"beautiful golden ladies":

• Body Shape. Females have a more rounded body vertically, that is, it is taller in vertical projection. In addition, before spawning, the eggs ripen in the female’s abdomen, which makes her “plump,” and the protrusion often occurs on one side. However, the female's readiness to reproduce can easily be confused with abdominal dropsy, a disease that unfortunately affects both sexes.
• Protruding anus. Visually, the protruding anus looks like a small growth located on the abdomen near the tail of the fish. But it must be taken into account that the absence of protrusion of the anus may be a consequence of underfeeding or illness.
• Denser anal fin. This characteristic feature of females can only be revealed by palpation, and in comparison with the anal fin of the male.

Females are usually more passive in behavior, but unhealthy males can behave in a similar way.

Identifying males

When identifying male goldfish, you should pay attention to the following characteristic features:

• Growths on the body. Characteristic growths develop in sexually mature males and signal their readiness to reproduce. They can be present on the gill covers, head, fins and even the scales of the male. Usually these “pearls” become visually noticeable by the mating season, but in older males they are often constantly present. The absence of growths may indicate disease or poor nutrition, or it may also be an individual characteristic of a particular fish.
• Elongated body. The bodies of males are usually more elongated, approaching a fusiform, streamlined shape. However, this feature is not found in all breeds.
• Retracted anus. A retracted anus is also found in females, but for males it is more characteristic feature. The anus of the male has an elongated oval shape (in females it is more rounded). The anal fin is correspondingly softer.
• "Scallop" on the abdomen. The male's abdomen has a more protruding line downwards. The characteristic vertical roundness is achieved due to the “comb” passing through the entire abdomen to the anus. Females never have it, but sometimes males also lack combs.
• Active behavior. Males are most active during the breeding season: they persistently pursue plump females throughout the aquarium. They stay from below and sometimes push the females under the abdomen. At the first opportunity, males press their golden ladies against the walls of the aquarium and other obstacles, encouraging them to spawn. In the absence of representatives of the fair sex, males, fueled by hormones, pursue each other.

As we have already said, the most experienced aquarist will not give a 100% guarantee that this or that individual will be male or female. However, we hope that based on the combination of signs listed in this article, you will be able to determine the gender of your pets with maximum accuracy!

Owners of a goldfish aquarium are usually interested in what gender their pets are. This is important for the possibility of breeding them. Of course, if they are kept only for decorative purposes, then gender does not matter, since they are not territorial, and they do not need a pack. Let's find out how you can distinguish a male goldfish from a female.

When is it easier to find out the gender of a goldfish?

Before puberty, it is almost impossible to determine their gender. This usually occurs around the age of one year. During the spawning period, the situation begins to change - differences appear in males and females.

At that time males begin to actively pursue the females, being somewhat behind them, pressing them against the walls of the aquarium or decorative elements, against vegetation in order to provoke spawning. True, a pair of males in an aquarium without a female presence will also chase each other.
1. The gill covers and scales of females do not have wart formations like those of males; 2. The anal opening of the female before spawning thickens and swells - it becomes convex and clearly noticeable; 3. The goldfish has a very prominent round body During the spawning period, they also undergo external changes - small white growths similar to millet appear on the gills and pectoral fins, and small notches called “saw” are observed on a pair of pectoral fins. However, in some males the growths do not appear at all, but sometimes they can appear in females.

Important! Puberty depends on the breed and gender of the goldfish. There are varieties in which males mature by 9 months, and females have to wait up to 3 years to mature.

During this period, the female becomes rounded, her abdomen swells and becomes asymmetrical. The body of males has a thinner, streamlined shape. However, it is difficult to determine by body shape in some breeds (for example, Ryukin), since all their representatives have a rounded and swollen body.
1. High dorsal; 2. Sharp, spine-like at the ends, bony fin rays; 3. Sensitive organ of the lateral line; 4. Tail or caudal base; 5a. Warty growths on the gill covers of males mating season; 5b. Warty growths on the scales of males before spawning females; 6. Outgrowths on the head in the form of peculiar antennae with pom-poms - balls, tassels or fringe at their tips; 7. Nostrils; 8. Head; 9. Double caudal fin (there are goldfish with three and four veiled caudal fins); 10. Pectoral fins; 11. Anal fin; 12. Pelvic fins; 13. Mouth; 14. Eye; 15. Ovoid body shape of a goldfish; 16a. Capillary ducts of the lower half of the double tail; 16b. Capillary ducts of the upper half of the double tail; 17. Anal opening; 18. Gill covers

How to distinguish goldfish: female from male

Let's consider what else you should pay attention to to determine the sex of these representatives of the crucian genus. It should be noted that almost all physiological and behavioral signs, listed in this article, concern healthy individuals with normal nutrition.

After all, a sick male will not pursue a female during the mating season; a female that has been underfed will look shaped like a male; a bloated belly may be a symptom of a disease and not a sign of a female.

Video: how to distinguish the gender of goldfish

Growth

You should take a good look at your pets from below. Males have a noticeable outgrowth located between the back of the ventral fin and the anus. In females it is absent or barely noticeable.

The area between the ventral and anal fins

In females, the area between the pelvic and anal fins is soft to the touch, while in males it is hard.

To determine gender, it is recommended to carefully examine the anus. In female goldfish, it has a more roundish shape, and also protrudes slightly during the mating season. When viewed from the side, in females the anus looks like a bulge in the abdominal area.
Anal opening of a female

It should also be taken into account that in females the fin near the anus is denser than in males.

Did you know? Breeders breed goldfish only after they have reached their full development. This usually happens when the fish is 2-4 years old.

The very shape of the anus in males is narrower and elongated, that is, somewhat oval in shape. It is usually concave, and not convex, like that of the opposite sex.
Male anus It should be borne in mind that in females the anus does not always protrude outwards, and sometimes this picture is observed in males.

Did you know? The longest living goldfish, named Fred, lived for 41 years in the UK. On average, these fish live from 4 to 5 years, and under optimal conditions they can live up to 10–15 years.

Pelvic fins

On the belly of females, the fins are more round and somewhat shorter in size than those of males. In males, they are correspondingly larger and pointed.

Coloring

Females have a slightly brighter color. In addition, they behave more actively than males of this species. One of distinctive features males is the presence of small but clearly visible growths in the form of whitish tubercles in the area of ​​the gill covers.

They appear during the spawning period, but in males who have lived for several years and have already gone through many mating periods, they can be observed constantly. When goldfish have not reached sexual development, they are either female or male impossible to determine.

Important! Determining the sex of a goldfish follows from the combination of the above physiological characteristics. They are not always reliable, as there are exceptions to them.

But when they are ripe, they appear during the spawning period physiological signs and behavior change, the combination of which will make it easy for you to do this. If you want your goldfish to reproduce, you should buy several specimens, not a couple. Then the probability of having different-sex individuals is higher, but the aquarium, accordingly, then you should choose a larger size.

There is a misconception that goldfish easy to care for. In fact, they are very demanding, and when breeding them there are many nuances. But, having learned to overcome difficulties, most owners think about breeding their aquarium pets. If many species aquarium fish It is quite simple to distinguish a female from a male (by color, size), but with goldfish the situation is different.

You will need

• Aquarium, goldfish, magnifying glass

Instructions

1. Goldfish become sexually mature by two years, although this depends on the completeness and variety of the diet and the conditions in which they are kept. At the same time very important role plays the volume of the aquarium - for one goldfish at least 40 liters are needed, and the entire “glass house” must be at least 100 liters. In small volumes, the fish develop poorly, become “dragged” and incapable of spawning.
IN ideal conditions There were cases of earlier puberty - by one and a half years, while the diet was rich in proteins. Consequently, before this age, even an experienced owner will not be able to distinguish between a male and a female.

2. When the fish become ready to reproduce, the first differences between a male and a female begin to appear. The female's body takes on a rounded shape, a small spherical tummy appears, while the male is leaner.

3. On the front paired fins of the male there are characteristic notches, which in appearance resemble small saw teeth. This is the main sign by which one can distinguish a male from a female even outside the mating season.

4. With the beginning of spring in sexually mature gold The courtship period begins for the fish. At this time, the male differs noticeably from the female in his behavior. He behaves very actively, vigorously courting his girlfriend, chasing her throughout the aquarium.

5. Another main sign of a male is the appearance of white tubercles on the head and gill covers during the spawning period. Sometimes these tubercles can be on the front fins.
The same symptoms can occur with a serious disease of aquarium fish - ichthyophthyriosis. Tubercles appear on the fins of fish, similar to semolina. It is important not to confuse male spawning signs with this disease.

Goldfish are a subspecies of silver crucian carp. Despite the name, these fish may differ in color. Red, white, and black individuals are often found in nature. In addition, goldfish are able to change color throughout their lives. Basically, the change occurs in the first year of life, but in some cases, fish can change the shade of their scales even after puberty. On average, goldfish are ready to spawn by 7-8 months, but it is better if they begin to reproduce after they are 2-4 years old. During this period, they reach maximum brightness of the color of their scales and fins. Until this time, it is extremely problematic to understand exactly what gender your goldfish is.

You will need

• In order to understand what gender your pet is, you need to take a close look at it during the spawning period. If two fish of different sexes live in an aquarium, then you can immediately determine which of them is male and which is female.

Instructions

1. First, compare the sizes fish. Males are usually slightly smaller than females. Moreover, the latter have a more rounded belly.
Also, males have a slightly convex anal opening, while females, on the contrary, have a depression in this area.

2. A few days before spawning, white specks appear on the gills of males. On the first rays of the pectoral fins you can also notice small light-colored serrations, which some breeders call “saw.”

3. During the spawning period, males become extremely active. They begin to chase the females around the aquarium, and also “molest” the brides, pinning them in a corner.

Video on the topic

note

If you want to breed goldfish, then do not forget that they need quite a lot of space for normal coexistence. Therefore, before you buy a partner for your pet, take care of expanding its living space.

If a goldfish lives alone, it will be quite difficult to determine its gender. True, sometimes males ready for spawning may develop sexual characteristics regardless of whether there is a partner nearby. In this case, many novice breeders get scared and think that the fish is sick with something.

note

If the spawning is successful, then you need to remember that goldfish can eat their offspring. Therefore, immediately after spawning, they must be transplanted into a fish tank. It should be equipped with a filter and air supply, and differ from an aquarium only in its smaller volume.

Helpful advice

It is best to keep goldfish at temperatures no higher than 24 degrees.

❶ How to find out the sex of a fish:: how to determine the sex of a fish:: Aquarium fish

It is not always easy for a novice aquarist to navigate such a colorful and incomprehensible world of exotic fish. What to feed, how to properly maintain it, and what to do if the fish get sick or decide to have offspring? Of course, one of the main questions of concern to novice hobbyists is how to distinguish males from females. Let's learn some of the tricks of the trade.

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Instructions

1. Take a close look at your players. In some fish, sexual dimorphism is very clearly expressed, so distinguishing boys from girls is not difficult. However, if you have no idea what exactly distinguishes ladies from gentlemen, external differences Although the fish will be noticeable to you, they will not give you any information. When breeding guppies, many people think that it is not so easy to distinguish a male from a female. It's a delusion. Take a close look at the fish's anal fin. If it is pointed, you are looking at a boy, but if it is rounded, you are looking at a girl. By this sign, by the way, it is possible to determine the sex of fish even before the onset of puberty, when, apart from the anal fin, males and females are practically no different. When the fish grow up, characteristic feature boys get a beautiful mottled tail and dorsal fin. Females, on the contrary, remain inconspicuous and gray, their caudal fins are much shorter and not so bright.

2. Pay attention to the shape of the anal fin. Not everyone aquarium fish the difference between the sexes is so noticeable. Guppies' relatives, mollies, have neither bright tails nor spots. Both males and females have a uniform black color and look alike, almost like two peas in a pod. Observation and a keen eye will help you here. Mollies also differ in their anal fins. In females they are rounded, and in males they have a pronounced peak-shaped shape. Some species of mollies even have an elongated and slightly curved anal fin, so that a boy can always be distinguished from the general crowd by it.

3. Look at the size of the fish. Often females are slightly larger than males, and in some species of fish this difference is quite noticeable. Of course, you shouldn’t focus on just one size, since pet stores often sell fish from different litters. That is why it is necessary to pay attention to other signs. In neons, for example, the stripe on the female’s abdomen has a slight break, slightly bending in the middle. Males have a completely straight back, and the stripe on their body is parallel to the horizon. If you decide to separate males from females in a school of zebrafish, also pay attention to their size and the location of the stripes. Females are larger, and the stripes on their abdomen are slightly blurred. Males have a more toned figure and even stripes.

note

Before you go to a pet store or market to buy fish, study specialized literature and acquire at least approximate knowledge about the differences between the sexes. Unfortunately, sellers often deceive gullible buyers by selling them fish of the same sex.

Helpful advice

In viviparous fish, females already in the store may have an expanded abdomen, by which they can be very easily distinguished from males.

How to distinguish the sex of fish:: how to find out the sex of a fish:: Aquarium fish

When choosing fish, novice aquarists are often stumped, not knowing how to distinguish males from females. Young fish are extremely similar to each other, and adults are sometimes difficult to distinguish. However, there are some signs, taking into account which you will not make a mistake.

Question: “Opened a pet store. Business is not going well. What to do? » - 2 answers

Instructions

1. One and one hundred percent the right way There is no sex determination for fish. It all depends on the specific breed and age. If you are a beginner aquarist, purchase a reference book with an accurate indication of the breeds and their sexual characteristics. Do not buy fish that are too young - the sex of some fry is difficult to determine even for specialists.

2. Most often, the secret of gender is revealed by the anal fin, located in the lower part of the abdomen. In some breeds, such as gouramis, guppies or laliuses, the sex of the anal fin is very easily recognized by the shape of the anal fin. In females it has a rounded or soft triangular shape, in males it is pointed or tube-like. With age, the “fin” differences become more noticeable.

3. Estimate the size of the fish. Adult females of barbs, guppies, catfish, and swordtails are larger, while males are significantly smaller. Sexual differences are most clearly visible in viviparous fish - females look much more voluminous, especially in the abdominal area. Males have a more streamlined shape and a narrow body.

4. Pay attention to the intensity of the color. In many breeds, males are brighter in color. For example, adult male guppies are easily identified by their brightly colored tail and dorsal fins. Pearl gourami at sexual maturity differ from females in having a bright orange belly. However, much depends on color variations within the breed. For example, barbs or angelfish can have different shades regardless of gender, and a pale-colored male can easily be confused with a female.

5. It is easiest to identify adult fish that have already spawned. Then even the most difficult to identify breeds show external sexual differences. For example, male angelfish acquire a characteristic pronounced profile with a steep forehead. Male goldfish develop white bumps on their gills, and their pectoral fins are covered with small barbs.

Helpful advice

If you are interested in breeding fish, choose individuals with the most pronounced sexual characteristics. They are more active during the spawning period and produce more viable offspring.

External differences between males and females of Sumatran barbs

Sumatran barbs (lat. Puntius tetrazona) are beautiful schooling fish native to the freshwater reservoirs of Southeast Asia. Usually they are bought in a flock of 10-20 individuals, from which pairs are selected in the future for breeding fry. How to distinguish a male from a female if these fish are so similar to each other?

Sexual differences in the Sumatran barb

Puntius tetrazona is an active fish that aquarists love. The body is round, flattened on the sides, short and tall. By external description similar to common crucian carp (also a related fish of the Carp family). But the body color is slightly different - on a silver background, four vertical black stripes are visible, the outermost ones passing through the eyes and the base of the tail.

The Sumatran barb has its first sexual characteristics at the age of 3 months. Males and females can be distinguished by their caudal fin and color. In the male, the outer rays of the tail are colored red. Sexual maturity of fish occurs at the age of 8-10 months; until this age, all young fish must be kept together.

See how to distinguish a female from a male in a Sumatran barb.

Later, the Sumatran barb matures and acquires obvious sexual differences. The male has a bright body color, during spawning it becomes even brighter, and the fins are colored. In females, the color of the scales is faded, the abdomen is full and round, and the body size is noticeably larger. The male has an angular body and active behavior.

From the age of 8-12 months (depending on housing and feeding conditions), barbs can be bred. During one spawning, a young female can bring more than 500 eggs. However, not all eggs will be fertilized, and not all larvae will become fry. If the female is not given the opportunity to spawn, the eggs will harden, which can lead to the death of the fish. Reproduction is a natural necessity for all fish, so don’t be afraid to breed them.

Sexual differences in the mutant barb

The mutant barb is a popular aquarium fish that looks like the Sumatran barb. In fact, these fish are related species. The mutant is a descendant of the “Sumatran”, and with each spawning the mutant fry become more and more similar to their ancestor. The mutant is distinguished by the spectacular color of its scales - the body is dark, it has orange fins. After the fish spawn, you can notice that 25% of their offspring are exactly like Sumatran barbs. Mutants can breed with Sumatrans, and in a brood, 75% of the fry will take on the characteristics of the Sumatran parent. The body size of an adult mutant reaches 7-10 cm. The body is elongated, low and flattened on the sides.

Look at the aquarium with Sumatran and mutant barbs.

The main color of the “mutant” breed is green, with a blue shimmer; there are no stripes on the body. The dorsal fin and pelvic fins are edged with red. Other fins may be partially colored or colorless. These fish can only be kept together from the age of 10 months (when they become sexually mature). Otherwise, the young animals will not withstand the competition, more active fish destroy weak brothers. The female mutant, unlike the male, is distinguished by a dull body color and larger body sizes. For the first three months of the fry's life, gender differences are barely noticeable.

The male mutant barb is slightly smaller than the female and is characterized by a bright, green body color. Puberty occurs at the age of 7 months (depending on feeding and living conditions). To breed these fish, you need to choose young breeders; males must be 3 months older than females. Adult “mutants” can reproduce in a general aquarium, but some of the eggs and fry will be destroyed by the parents.

Effective breeding will be ensured by a spawning tank with a volume of 20 liters or more, at the bottom of which you need to place a separator net and plants (Java moss, cabomba or pinnate). The mutant barb is ready for spawning at a water temperature of 26°C, hardness aquatic environment 8o, acidity 6.5 pH.

You can launch a pair into the spawning tank - a male and a female, or 2 males and one female. Before breeding, fish of different sexes are placed in nurseries for 1 month, and during this time they are fed with live and plant foods. The diet of males should be rich in protein foods (daphnia, bloodworms, shrimp, mussels), and females should be given more plant food. In a female ready for breeding, a swelling is visible in the posterior region of the abdomen.

Mollies - how to distinguish a female from a male

Aquarium hobby attracts many people today. City apartments and even offices are decorated with aquariums. It is interesting to look at decorative fish in a small pond created in the apartment. When choosing fish, it doesn’t hurt to first find out in what conditions they can live. Many individuals have great sensitivity; maintaining them will require a lot of effort. It is easier to breed swordtails, guppies or mollies. Some aquarists, when breeding fish, do not know how to distinguish a male from a female.

How to distinguish a male

For the last individual to live, it is necessary to create favorable conditions, because it has special sensitivity. Her habitat These are brackish warm bodies of water. Mollies like to hide behind plants, so the aquarium should have plenty of algae.

A naturalist can distinguish mollies by looking at how the anal fin is structured. Females have a round fin. In the male, this limb is rolled up into a tube, as can be seen in the photo. They can be distinguished by the formed sexual organ - the gonopodium.

How to distinguish a female

The difference between females is their size. It is unlikely to find a large male. But the male has a very bright coloring, and his body has large fins.

Mollies can be bred in normal conditions. Special conditions It is not necessary to provide for this. The main thing is that the temperature in the aquarium is 22-30 degrees. Sudden changes are harmful for the fish. The water must be clean. It should not be allowed to bloom.

Instructions for determining the sex of mollies

1. The fish are examined and their anal fin is found. You should look at the belly of the individual and find the anus. It is located next to the tail unpaired fin. If an individual female, then it has a triangular fin, if male, then the shape of the fin resembles a tube. With this fin, the individual performs internal fertilization, since the fish are viviparous. This sign is used to determine the sex of any viviparous fish.
2. There are individuals of mollies that are distinguished by size. The male is smaller in size than the female. Males are more active. It talks about the ability of an individual to produce healthy offspring. The sailing species of mollies is different from the usual one.
3. An adult male Mollienesia velifera has a huge sail-shaped dorsal fin, which is why this fish is called Sailfish: photo

The female specimen has the usual small dorsal fin.

When going to a store or market to buy fish, you need to be able to distinguish a girl from a boy, because the seller’s task is to sell his goods as quickly as possible, and he may not understand such issues. You can get a beautiful fish in an aquarium, but it must have the ability to reproduce.

Of course, who wouldn’t want to get a luxurious molly with paired fins in the form of large brushes. Only in this case it is difficult to distinguish a male from a female, because paired fin will also end with a large brush. The same goes for the anal fin. This occurs because this fish was created from two species of individuals and is called Huppinesia. If you come across a fish like this in a store, you should know that it is sterile and not suitable for breeding.

Is it possible to find out the sex of the fry?

If we consider these fish according to their viviparous characteristics, then it is worth paying attention to the size of their abdomen. Pregnant individuals are placed in another section of the aquarium. This is necessary so that the offspring are not eaten by the fathers. Dense plantings are made in a separate aquarium. The fry like to hide under them. If there is no separate aquarium, then the females are isolated with special devices.

The fry eat ciliates and other small live food. Their food should contain plant components: photo

When breeding sailfish, you should use large aquariums, as this species can grow up to 12 cm in length. Large viviparous fish should not be placed with fry. They can feed on them.

The sex of regular or balloon-type cubs is not immediately determined. When they reach puberty, it becomes clear who will be the father and who will be the mother: photo

How do male and female mollies get sick?

With improper maintenance, feeding and care, the inhabitants of the aquarium begin to feel unwell, but they cannot say about it. Often they find out that an epidemic has appeared when it is already too late.

The aquatic environment must have favorable living conditions to prevent infection. It also appears due to hypothermia. The disease manifests itself as dots and pimples on the pet’s body. Raised spots or sores may be observed. Black individuals develop melanosis. This is caused by increased pigmentation of the skin. As a result, a tumor forms.

Preventive measures are carried out in compliance with temperature regime water, make sure that pets eat clean food. Wash the soil and decorations.

Each sick inhabitant of the aquatic environment is separated from a healthy society. Patients should be quarantined in another tank with a balanced diet, regardless of their gender. When they recover, they appearance and behavior will improve and it will be possible to place them with healthy fish.

If you know in advance about all these features, then no problems will arise in the aquarium. negative manifestations, and its inhabitants will always delight their owners with their beauty.

How to distinguish a male goldfish from a female?

Ray of hope

Sex differences

Breeding goldfish and its varieties is not difficult. When kept in good conditions in the second year of life, fish become sexually mature and retain the ability to reproduce for many years, and two to three year olds should be selected for breeding work. Goldfish are usually very difficult to determine the sex of. With much experience, you can notice that the front ray of the pectoral fins of the male has serrations. Females are slightly more plump. The manifestation of sexual differences intensifies during the mating season. In March-April, when daylight hours begin to noticeably lengthen, young males begin to swim after females, holding on to their ovipositor. By this sign, you can accurately identify mature fish that are ready for spawning. A mature female apparently secretes substances that have a specific odor, which is especially strong near the genital opening. This smell attracts mature males to females. If this occurs before April, males and females should be separated to avoid early litters, which will be difficult to provide with natural live food. In this case, the females must be kept so that they cannot rub against the plants, which can cause agitation and spawning. You can also delay spawning by lowering the water temperature. It is best if spawning occurs in May-June.
A male ready for spawning has characteristic differences: saw on the first ray of the front pair of pectoral fins in the form of a series of notches and warts appear on the gill covers, usually the size of grains of semolina. The female, mature and ready for marking, has a thick belly filled with eggs. If you look at it from above, you will notice the curvature of the fish’s body caused by the presence of caviar. The resulting curvature often remains after spawning.
When breeding goldfish and especially its decorative varieties, it is very important to carefully select the producers, to seed the healthiest, most beautiful, with well-defined secondary sexual characteristics and specific distinctive properties for spawning.

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How to distinguish a female comet fish from a male?

Alexandr Tihomirov

Yes, the wrong comets came today, the wrong ones. About 20 years ago I kept comets (bred them for sale), so they were much more elegant, with more long tails, and the dorsal fins were veiled.
In principle, all crucian carp (and the comet is the same crucian carp) are distinguished by the shape of the fin (in males it is slightly pointed), and, the main difference, by the spots on the gill covers. Females do not have these spots. Spots appear during puberty, from about one and a half to two years.

Dima Epikhin

It is quite difficult to distinguish a female from a male. Only with some experience can one discern small notches on the pectoral fins of males. A male ready for spawning has characteristic differences: a saw on the first ray of the front pair of pectoral fins in the form of a series of notches and usually warts the size of grains of semolina on the gill covers. The female, mature and ready for marking, has a thick belly filled with eggs. If you look at it from above, you will notice the curvature of the fish’s body caused by the presence of caviar. The resulting curvature often remains after spawning.

Goldfish are a decoration for any aquarium. Some people think that caring for them is very simple, but in fact there are several nuances that require special study. One of these issues is reproduction. How to find out floor this type of aquarium fish?

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Instructions

1. Goldfish reach floor reaches maturity only at two years of age. Before this time, do not try to identify them floor, this is practically impossible. However, there were cases when, under ideal housing conditions and a diet rich in proteins, males matured to floor morning years. These fish do not develop well in small rooms, so the volume of the aquarium should be at least one hundred liters.

2. Observe the fish during the maturation period. At this time, the females’ bodies take on a rounded shape, and the males remain lean. It is at this time that you can notice the first differences in the structure gold fish miscellaneous floor A.

3. Using a magnifying glass, examine the front paired fins. In mature males, you can see characteristic notches on them, reminiscent of a saw with small teeth. By this feature one can distinguish floor fish not even during the mating season, but only in floor density of mature individuals.

4. At the beginning of spring floor Mature goldfish enter the period of courtship and mating games. Males begin to differ very much from females in behavior. They are very active, chasing females throughout the aquarium, vigorously and passionately courting. After watching the mating game, you can easily distinguish floor their pets.

5. Also, by carefully examining the head of the fish through a magnifying glass, you will notice another main sign of a male. White tubercles appear on the head and gill covers during the spawning period. The main thing is not to confuse them with signs of ichthyophthyriosis - a disease gold fish, at which the fins appear white coating, somewhat similar to semolina. Spawning signs appear only during the breeding season.

6. After spawning, be sure to plant fish into a previously prepared reserve reservoir. This is done to prevent aquarium inhabitants from eating their offspring. The sedimentation tank, just like the main reservoir, must be equipped with a filter and a supply of clean air.

Video on the topic

❶ How to find out the sex of a fish:: how to determine the sex of a fish:: Aquarium fish

It is not always easy for a novice aquarist to navigate such a colorful and incomprehensible world of exotic fish. What to feed, how to properly maintain it, and what to do if the fish get sick or decide to have offspring? Of course, one of the main questions of concern to novice hobbyists is how to distinguish males from females. Let's learn some of the tricks of the trade.

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Instructions

1. Take a close look at your players. In some fish, sexual dimorphism is very clearly expressed, so distinguishing boys from girls is not difficult. However, if you have no idea how exactly ladies differ from gentlemen, the external differences of the fish, although they will be noticeable to you, will not give any information. When breeding guppies, many people think that it is not so easy to distinguish a male from a female. It's a delusion. Take a close look at the fish's anal fin. If it is pointed, you are looking at a boy, but if it is rounded, you are looking at a girl. By this sign, by the way, it is possible to determine the sex of fish even before the onset of puberty, when, apart from the anal fin, males and females are practically no different. When the fish grow up, a characteristic feature of boys becomes a beautiful mottled tail and dorsal fin. Females, on the contrary, remain inconspicuous and gray, their caudal fins are much shorter and not so bright.

2. Pay attention to the shape of the anal fin. Not all aquarium fish have such a noticeable difference between the sexes. Guppies' relatives, mollies, have neither bright tails nor spots. Both males and females have a uniform black color and look alike, almost like two peas in a pod. Observation and a keen eye will help you here. Mollies also differ in their anal fins. In females they are rounded, and in males they have a pronounced peak-shaped shape. Some species of mollies even have an elongated and slightly curved anal fin, so that a boy can always be distinguished from the general crowd by it.

3. Look at the size of the fish. Often females are slightly larger than males, and in some species of fish this difference is quite noticeable. Of course, you shouldn’t focus on just one size, since pet stores often sell fish from different litters. That is why it is necessary to pay attention to other signs. In neons, for example, the stripe on the female’s abdomen has a slight break, slightly bending in the middle. Males have a completely straight back, and the stripe on their body is parallel to the horizon. If you decide to separate males from females in a school of zebrafish, also pay attention to their size and the location of the stripes. Females are larger, and the stripes on their abdomen are slightly blurred. Males have a more toned figure and even stripes.

note

Before you go to a pet store or market to buy fish, study specialized literature and acquire at least approximate knowledge about the differences between the sexes. Unfortunately, sellers often deceive gullible buyers by selling them fish of the same sex.

Helpful advice

In viviparous fish, females already in the store may have an expanded abdomen, by which they can be very easily distinguished from males.

❶ How to find out the gender of aquarium fish:: Breeding

Determining the sex of fish is difficult, since in some cases females look the same as males. And if you don’t know the characteristics that are characteristic of a given breed, then it’s completely impossible. But you can still try to distinguish them, especially if this is very important to you.

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Contact the seller if you are just planning to buy fish. Typically, such stores are sold by people who more or less understand fish. If they cannot explain to you who is male and who is female, then it is better to contact another zoological store.
Compare the shape and size of the fish. Often, females are somewhat larger than the opposite sex, as they bear future offspring. But there are also exceptions. If your fish have at least some visual differences, which means the fry will appear soon. Monitor your fish periodically. If some suddenly begin to increase in size and the abdomen becomes rounded, it is most likely that these are females. You just have to wait a little to determine the sex of your aquarium fish.
Pay attention to the color of the aquarium fish. Typically, the color scheme of males is brighter and more saturated - by this you can determine the sex of aquarium fish. Females in most cases have an outstanding appearance. But all this depends solely on the type of fish, so you may be wrong.
The fins and tail of males are somewhat longer and brighter. Their color may change during the mating season: various inclusions and additional pigmentation appear. This makes them more attractive to females. After spawning, the opposite changes occur.
Purchase special literature about this breed of fish. In the book you can read in detail about the characteristic sex differences. If you don't know what species your aquarium pets belong to, check their name in the store. It is usually indicated on aquariums.
If you still cannot accurately determine the sex of the fish, but you notice a number of differences, then just wait for an increase. Some species of fish do not visually differ in gender, so do not be upset if exactly identical individuals swim in the aquarium. It is possible that they are of different sexes.