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Does anyone have any advice for sexing Pearl Gourami when they're small (5-7cm)?

I'm planning to get a couple for my new tank, and I'd like one of each gender to avoid males fighting. I know the bellies are red in adults, and I have seen some small ones with a tinge of red on their anal fin, so would those ones be males?

Thanks!

<Vet in Training>
Blog under development: http://www.nearlydrferox.blogging4life.com/

I don't know why people keep advising to look for the red in their bellies/fins. The EASIEST way to tell apart..or sex any gouramie that I have ever seen for that matter (3 spot varieties/pearls/dwarfs/etc) is to look at the TOP fin. In males, it's got a pointier edge. Easier if there are at least one male and female..the first time..and you can see what I mean. Females top fins are rounded, males are pointed. Males top fins end up being longer, too...but mainly, their is a a definite POINT.

Okay, thank you. Most of the pearls I've seen have only been one or two in each tank, but not I've got something to look for. Thanks.

<Vet in Training>
Blog under development: http://www.nearlydrferox.blogging4life.com/

The Male Gourami have a longer & more pointed dorsal fin, while the Females have a rounded one.

:88)

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Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

The only thing is, the dorsal fin isn't always long and pointy if the pearl is a juvenile.

I know this from experience: About 9 months ago, I got three pearls. They were fairly large -- maybe 3 inches -- when I got them, and one clearly had the red breast and flowing dorsal fin. The other two had short dorsal fins, although one had the very faintest of pink tinges to its breast in a certain light. Both the clerk in the store (very experienced) and I were sure I was getting two females and a male. But about four or five months later, the dorsal fin of the other started to grow out -- and guess what? "She" very clearly turned out to be a he.

I think it's probably more obvious with most of them earlier than it was with this one -- but there doesn't seem to be any such thing as a sure bet when you buy juveniles.