How to Determine the Gender of a Fish: 10 Steps

Table of contents:

How to Determine the Gender of a Fish: 10 Steps
How to Determine the Gender of a Fish: 10 Steps

Video: How to Determine the Gender of a Fish: 10 Steps

Video: How to Determine the Gender of a Fish: 10 Steps
Video: Animating a Butterfly created in Adobe Photoshop as an Animated GIF 2019 2024, March
Anonim

Finding out the sex of a specific fish can be an easy or extremely difficult task. This usually depends on the species of fish. Although some fish have physical characteristics indicating sex, others have few signs. To find out the sex of a fish, you must look at the animal's physical characteristics and behavior. In addition, you can get information by consulting books, videos and individuals specializing in fish. By using these features, you will be well equipped to determine the sex of a fish.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Determining the Sex of Fish Through Observation

Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 1
Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 1

Step 1. Look for a bump on the fish's forehead

The presence of such a bulge can serve as confirmation that the fish is male. Check carefully if it exhibits this characteristic.

  • Most species of fish do not have the forehead bulge, and even if you do, it may not be very apparent.
  • The bulge on the forehead indicating that the fish is male is usually quite visible in cichlid fish such as tilapia, mite, oscar and discus.
Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 2
Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 2

Step 2. Look for a large anal fin on certain male fish

Fish from the Poeciliidae family have modified anal fins, which are used for sexual reproduction. The presence of this attribute in certain fish can help you confirm whether they are male.

This is the proper way to identify the sex of the Molesia, the potbellied, the sword and the platy

Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 3
Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 3

Step 3. Check if the fish has large dorsal or anal fins

Males of some species, such as cichlids, have larger dorsal and anal fins than females. By comparing different specimens of the same cichlid fish, you will be able to determine the sex.

Cichlid fish include tilapia, mite, oscar and discus mite

Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 4
Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 4

Step 4. Look for lumps during spring

Male specimens of some fish, such as the Japanese fish, develop small bumps on their bodies during spring. These lumps usually appear on the forehead, near the gills and on the pectoral fins, disappearing at the end of the mating season, in early summer.

The size and color of these lumps may vary depending on the species

Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 5
Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 5

Step 5. Females of some species may be larger

In the case of some species, such as carp, females can be much larger. This is particularly noticeable during the spawning season, when females are more corpulent, and may also have larger abdomens.

The round shape of the female's body usually results from the accumulation of eggs or offspring

Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 6
Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 6

Step 6. Watch for the appearance of striking features in males during the mating season

During mating season, males usually develop attributes that make them more striking. It is important to note that while females can also develop similar attributes, such changes are less extreme for them.

The male hull, for example, will develop long hairs on the pectoral fins, around the mouth and around the head. Although females also develop hairs, they are usually smaller

Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 7
Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 7

Step 7. Identify male fish through aggressive behavior

Aggression can be seen in excessively territorial behavior. In addition, aggressive fish can quickly swim against approaching fish. In some cases, males are more aggressive than females. However, behavior does not always serve as an indication of the sex of the fish.

The male hull can be more aggressive. This, however, can vary depending on the type. Some common species include the algae-eating fish, Pterygoplichthys and the common hull

Method 2 of 2: Consulting Experts

Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 8
Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 8

Step 1. Read about the species in question

Although general characteristics help determine the sex of fish, the best method to find out is to study the specific species. This can be done in the following ways:

  • Visit the library. Your local library may have books on the fish species in question, including information on its physiology.
  • See encyclopedias on fish physiology, which can be found in libraries or online.
Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 9
Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 9

Step 2. Talk to an expert

Fish store employees, veterinarians or biologists may know how to identify the sex of the fish species in question. If you are having difficulty determining the sex of your fish, consult an expert.

Take a photo of your specimen to your local fish store and ask if they can identify its sex. The more fish the place has, the better. If the store has fish of the species in question, they are likely to be able to help you

Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 10
Determine the Sex of a Fish Step 10

Step 3. Watch videos

There are a variety of videos on the internet and on television about fish demonstrating how to determine the sex of species. Search the internet for videos that might be informative. You will probably learn a lot about fish physiology and reproduction.

  • Watch videos on YouTube.
  • Watch programs on channels like Animal Planet or National Geographic.

Recommended: