Males have spots in the dorsal and anal fins, lake the one directly below.
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi70.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi97%2Fdstuer%2Fnicaraguese%2FIMG_9289_zpsyu84mqk1.jpg&hash=df4d54b9fd32d5462ad4bce28244d2b1)
females don't
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi70.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi97%2Fdstuer%2Fnicaraguese%2FIMG_9204_zpsxwuf2p4o.jpg&hash=cb6c35143f115f9ccecb8145da4db39a)
above 2 females in the foreground, male back
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi70.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi97%2Fdstuer%2Fnicaraguese%2Ffemale%2FIMG_9962_zpstwun1knu.jpg&hash=a6e10a6f9d2af12cd164671a5f5a5d64)
females are usually smaller, have a less steep profile, and colors "may" be more vivid, especially when courting, and guarding a spawn
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi70.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi97%2Fdstuer%2Fnicaraguese%2Ffemale%2F3rd%2520spawn%2FIMG_9065_zpso1ucqsg0.jpg&hash=087cbea8a3250643ad61061bd1d1a85f)