Finally some signs!

[KJoFan]

Recently I decided that it was high time some of my discus start at least showing a desire to start breeding. Especially since I recently sold a few off at the local club auction and one of the people that purchased one of mine reported back to me that it has already spawn for them and by my calculations the ones I sold are a fair bit younger than some others I have. So, on a few of my tanks I've started pumping in the R/O, figuring it was just the fact that my water is too darn hard and high in TDS to even make them think about it.

On one of my leopard tanks with only two 50% waterchanges with R/O (my TDS is only down to 144...I think I need a new membrane) I'm starting to see some signs that they are in fact mature enough to breed.

My only experience with breeding and identifying male/female is with angels. So, I tried to take a few pics of the Leopards and am wondering if anyone can offer any suggestions or hints on ways to tell the males from females, aside from when they are actually spawning of course. This may be a long shot but all opinions are welcome.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c285/KJoFan/DSC06597.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c285/KJoFan/DSC06599.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c285/KJoFan/DSC06600.jpg

Unfortunately my largest Leopard isn't showing any signs yet. I assume it to be a male just because it's largest but I could certainly be wrong. I guess I just have to wait. I moved my breeding cone to their tank so...fingers crossed.

Thanks in advance to anyone that tries to help ID male/female or offers tips on IDing for me.

[Tropical Haven]

Karen, the picture that you are showing is a female.

[KJoFan]

Cool. I'm not even sure if the one I posted is all of the same one. Could it be possible only the females were exhibiting? Because there were about 3 in there showing this and they seemed pretty similar. And like I said, the largest one I assume to be male wasn't. But...I don't know if it's possible only one sex is showing.

Any tips you can give me Scott that led you to the female conclusion? Is it the same as angels, female is blunter/wider looking and male smaller, more pointed?

[phidelt85]

Looking at the photos. You have images of two different fish. Look at the striations on the gill plate of the first two shots. Their tubes look different as well.

[KJoFan]

Yep it's quite possible they are different fish. I took a bunch of the 2 or 3 showing the signs, went through them, deleted the bad ones and posted the good ones.

So now the question is...are they both female then or which is which?

[White Worm]

I'd guess Fem for the 1st pic. The 2nd and 3rd pic are the same fish and I guess male.

[KJoFan]

Thanks for the input Mike. :)

[KJoFan]

Woohoo....'tis a good sign me thinks. :D

Video:
http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c285/KJoFan/?action=view&current=MOV06965.flv

[phidelt85]

:thumbsup: Keep us posted. I can't wait to see that in my tanks :D

[jczz1232]

Nice work Karen keep us posted.

John

[Kenny's Discus]

Karen, haven't seen your video yet but the first pic of your fish should be a male, and your 2nd & 3rd pic of the same fish should be a female.

Kenny