Jaguar Cichlid - Male or Female?

[Runtscal]

So originally I thought Male ----- however, I'm now thinking that Lucifer is really Lucy.

Has gotten bulgy, large breeding tube visible, cleaning all gravel out of cave, highly aggressive when pass the tank today -- no eggs.

Opinions please.

She/He appears darker than in pics -- but had to use flash to get a non-blurry one. Tube is visible in one of the pics. She/He shows a lovely blue across edges of dorsal & anal in person.

[fishman76092]

Lucy

Males will have the pointy 'triangle' vent. Also longer and thinner with much more broken up pattern that yours. Males will be more spotted than barred. Here is a picture of a 13-14" wild male that I had back in 2001-2002 (with wild dovii and wild red devil-all from Lake Nicaragua). Check the spotting all over the body vs yours. Hope that helps.

[BC1976]

Hard to tell by this photo but this fish looks to be about 4 inch's based on the only items that can give it scale. If that is case he/she isn't sexually mature yet. But based on the photo's I would say Lucy. I have a Male if you want to try and breed them. :)

[Runtscal]

So -- Lucy it is.

The breeding tube is pretty large & not pointy. I've only had her about 1.5 months. I bought a tank & couldn't just leave her. My son-in-law is taking her when they move from an apt to a house next month.

Believe it or not -- she's is at least 6 inches and supposedly almost 2 years old. The tank & fish were left behind when the boyfriend moved out according to the girl I bought it from. Lucy was terribly skinny and had only been fed a few pellets once a day for a long time. Basically, her growth was stunted. I don't believe she had ever had feeders, shrimp, bloodworms or anything. :(

She has really started to fill out and I can tell she has grown already.

If my son-in-law doesn't take her soon -- he's not going to get her -- because I'm already attached.

Thanks for the offer to breed with your male ------ I'll pass -- 1 jag is enough.

[BC1976]

I understand I have 5 and running out of room. I thought I was going to lose at least 2 when I bought them as fingerlings and turns out I wasn't careless enough because only lost 1 and then two paired up and I have the Alpha male from that clutch as a replacement. They are cool though. Good luck with Lucy.

[chandler1693]

Most female jaguars I have seen don't have that many spots on the lower jaw. I would guess male. But its hard to for sure based on color with a cichlid with such a larger range.

[Runtscal]

He/She Lucifer/Lucy --- big breeding tube --- very territorial ---- has been exhibiting spawning behavior like crazy today - but no eggs. He/She is going back & forth across cleared area dragging breeding tube, swishing side to side, fanning -- but no eggs -- then comes out to chase you off if watching. Do both males & females exhibit that behavior or does a male just exhibit spawning (meaning dragging breeding tube etc) after some eggs are layed?

Here's a pick from today -- can see the tube better.

[alta678]

No picture....

[Runtscal]

how bout now? I thought I was the only one still up? How's the little toad doing?

[alta678]

Ah,yes! Now there is a picture! The toad is doing well. He is in the tank with a nice sized land area and a large area of fresh water to swim in. I have an in-tank filter for it. He seems to enjoy it! Now that I have finally learned to add pictures that I have taken, I need to post a picture of him. I am thinking of getting some bog type plants and making a paludarium for him.

[Runtscal]

soooo -- are you thinking Lucy or Lucifer?

[alta678]

Lucy, I would go with fishman's opinion. He is usually accurate.

[Runtscal]

Thanks ---- I feel sorry for her -- she is working so hard at trying to lay eggs. I would love to get her a "man" but I don't need hundreds of wigglers and eventually jags to re-home.

[alta678]

I hear ya!

[fishman76092]

He/She Lucifer/Lucy --- big breeding tube --- very territorial ---- has been exhibiting spawning behavior like crazy today - but no eggs. He/She is going back & forth across cleared area dragging breeding tube, swishing side to side, fanning -- but no eggs -- then comes out to chase you off if watching. Do both males & females exhibit that behavior or does a male just exhibit spawning (meaning dragging breeding tube etc) after some eggs are layed?

Here's a pick from today -- can see the tube better.

There is no doubt that it is a female. That is definitely a breeding tube and given the pattern, body shape, and the yellowish hue behind the darker color-there really is no debate that it could be a boy. Female managuensis can lay eggs at 4". She is definitely stunted based on the shape of the body- could be genetic, could be environmental.