Sexing a green severum

[Analog Saint]

My green severum is about 2.5" from tip to tail now, with bright red eyes, brilliant orange-red pelvic and anal fins, and amazing blue colouration around its mouth.

Is this too early to determine the sex of the fish? I think it's a female- comparatively stubby and rounded dorsal fin... But not sure if I'm jumping the gun here.

 

[TONO]

There easy to tell, do you have a pic of it? Also if your planning on breeding severums in a 30 it won't work seeing as they can grow to 9 inches.

 

[Analog Saint]

don't plan on breeding in the 30, just grow-out housing (same for plecos). I'll see if I can borrow someone's digital camera.

 

[blueturq]

Male Severums have red worm like patterns on their heads, whereas the females don't.

 

[ScottoMacD]

After breeding green severums for the last six years (2 pairs) I can safely say that sexing severums is NOT anywhere near an exact science. Anyone who says that they can sex one by looking at it is lying to you or guessing.

They are one of the hardest fish to sex. Especially if going by the fins.

The only true way to sex them properly (especially when juveniles) is to vent them. Then you will be 100% sure. Males have smaller , thinner , shorter tubes whereas the females tube even when not breeding are larger, longer and much much fatter.

When you see the two next to each other it is really obvious.

 

[cdsilva]

Anyone have experience with sexing severums based on behavior?

I've raised numerous Angels, Kribs, Firemouths, and Convicts over the years, and all of these male cichlids are more aggressive than the females (during non-spawning times).

I've recently acquired four juvenile green severums. Unfortunately one died recently, but the other three are currently ~2.5" with similar appearance. One has established himself as the alpha male, and chases off the other two around my 38g (they will soon be transferred to a 75g).

Based on experience with other cichlids, I have only seen males shoo away other males, not females. Any chance that he is chasing off a female, or are the other two most likely males? If so, I would look to trade the other two for two females.