Lake Malawi Species • Is this Borleyi male or female?

[thatbb6]

I got it from a LFS for only $4. The color is stunning but it looks like all the female Borleyi that Google image shows. I try to vent but I can't be sure. Thanks.

[13razorbackfan]

Hard to tell when they are still small as they don't generally start to take shape or color until the get about 3-4". I can't really see the vent from the pic...almost need a magnifying glass. Right now it looks like a female on appearances only but that may change.

[Fogelhund]

Assuming it hasn't been hormoned, it is a male.

[Michael_M]

Agree looks like a young male to me, the first pic shows quite a bit of colour development through the body of the fish, the females stay very drab. Also the face is starting to turn a darker blue colour rather than a darker grey.

[jaynuge]

Although it may have some color, I have had some female borleyi that have had some color... especially the new fish from Petsmart. It also has rounded fins usually indicating female. The smaller one looks like a strawberry peacock, but still a little small to tell.

[13razorbackfan]

Although it may have some color, I have had some female borleyi that have had some color... especially the new fish from Petsmart. It also has rounded fins usually indicating female. The smaller one looks like a strawberry peacock, but still a little small to tell.

Yep....same with me recently. Had a female that looked exactly like the above pic showing some orange tint on the sides. I bought when she was about 2" or so and the tint was stronger depending on how the fish was turned and in the light. Thought it was a young male starting to show and it turned out to be a female. That doesn't mean that fish is a female though. I would give it more time.

[thatbb6]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for the responses.