FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I have recently posted a few questions reguarding my "Blue Convict Cichlid", and found that it is a mix between two other fish, and really isn't exactly a convict cichlid, as far as differentiation between the males and females. However, the information arrived too late. I have three, and as far as I knew it was two females and one male. The Females have "ganged up" and beat the crap out of the male. I saved him, and he is recuperating, but he should eventually get back in the tank, and i need to know how I can tell the difference between males and females. Can someone help? It seems two of the fish have the orange scales on their sides and bellies, whereas the "male" has only silver scales mixed in, as well as being noticeably smaller. Can anyone tell me anything about the distinction? Please help! Also, to the person who sent the pictures of their hybrid fish to me, thank you, you've answered a lot of questions.

-Tankster

I am not too sure of the Honduran Red Points, but convict females will have orange scales on their bellies while the males will be silvery blue all over.
It sounds to me as though you have two females and a male.

being as they're hybrids it could be difficult to tell. as has been said, true convict females will have orange scales on the sides/belly while males will not. males will typically grow faster and develop pointed dorsal/anal fin extensions much sooner than females. males will also eventually develop nuchal humps, but these may not be seen until the fish reach ~3" or larger.

for honduran red points, both males and females can have orange/red on the sides/belly region. males will have red coloration in the dorsal fin and tail and their overall body coloration will be a silvery/blue with a possible green cast as well. females are typically much more intensely blue in coloration with darker, almost midnight blue finnage.

Jason