Gender ID of Red Spotted severums

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Rivers2k

Rivers2k

Piranha
MFK Member
Dec 27, 2011
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NY
Please help confirm the Gender ID of my red spotted severum they are about 3.5"-4" I am confused because I read males have pointer fins and females don't have lines between the eyes. Well both have pointy fins and both are light on lines between the eyes. Only one has no lines between the eyes that is the one I suspect is female. Both are relatively the same size and neither one is dominant.

Suspected Female



Suspected Male




Both together

 
oh yeah and my kids named them Mrs Sprinklecook and Ducky. I wonder if they new before I did lol. My daughters reason for Mrs Sprinklecook is they look like someone that would make sprinkles for ice cream. (she is 4)

My phone didn't pic up the contrast between red and yellows very well if that makes a difference i will try to get better pics with another camera.
 
Severums are typically sexed by whether there's a decorative facial markings or not. Typically males have these markings and females do not, but this rule doesn't apply to red spotted sevs however.
 
xraycer said:
Severums are typically sexed by whether there's a decorative facial markings or not. Typically males have these markings and females do not, but this rule doesn't apply to red spotted sevs however.
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Thanks for your response. I have read that as well which just ads to the confusion with these fish.
 
The pointy fins thing is an old myth that supposedly applied to all SA cichlids but it does not apply to severums. Several of my females have long, pointed dorsal and anal fins that extend back as far as the end of their tail.

Facial patterning is usually the best way but super reds are both spotted. If I had to guess, I'd say the first pic is more likely female because she lacks spotting across the bridge of her nose while your other fish has it. But it's strictly a guess.

Also, you'll rarely get two super reds to spawn and produce viable fry, and if they do you'll likely end up with gold fry instead of super red fry. I've never seen anyone produce super reds.
 
ryansmith83 said:
The pointy fins thing is an old myth that supposedly applied to all SA cichlids but it does not apply to severums. Several of my females have long, pointed dorsal and anal fins that extend back as far as the end of their tail.

Facial patterning is usually the best way but super reds are both spotted. If I had to guess, I'd say the first pic is more likely female because she lacks spotting across the bridge of her nose while your other fish has it. But it's strictly a guess.

Also, you'll rarely get two super reds to spawn and produce viable fry, and if they do you'll likely end up with gold fry instead of super red fry. I've never seen anyone produce super reds.
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Good to know I didn't know that about the off spring. I am not really looking to breed. If it happens cool but I am really looking to have two severum that will get along. I heard two males will typically not do well together.

out of curiosity what is used to produce super reds?
 
No one really knows. A lot of people assume they are line bred to be that color but I still suspect some juicing/hormoning may be going on.

Two male severums are usually fine if there's no female to fight over. I kept my 210 gallon as an all-male tank for a long time and only saw minor chasing/pecking.
 
I wouldn't suspect hormones as I have seen large adults that very nicely colored. I thought hormone fish get dull with age. I would guess they are crossed back with some other sev. oh well who know. As long as mine stay looking nice and get along I will be happy.
 
wondering if there where anymore thoughts out there on the gender of these?
 
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