I may have messed up sexing mandarins....

[homer1475]

So I have always thought I had a female green mandarin. She has been with me a couple years now, and does not have the huge spike dorsal fin, indicative of a male mandarin.

I was at the LFS yesterday and they had a beautiful male that they have had for a few months now(I've been eyeing keeping an eye on it). I went ahead and purchased it, assuming my female would be fine with a larger male.

Well they met this morning, after last nights introduction to the tank. All they do is fight! Is this normal for mandarins, and the aggression will eventually calm down, or did I mess up and now have 2 males? I will bring the male back if I need to, my female is too precious to me.

Pic of the 2 fighting:

 

[Crabby48]

A few videos I saw of pairing mandarins they danced witch looked like fighting but it ended shortly. Hope it works for you. Friend had a male mandarin that the spike was short more like a little bump.

That may be two males but hopefully someone with more experience can help

 

[homer1475]

I did see the one I know is a male, grab mine by the gill and violently shake her. He did let go, and they seem to be keeping away from each other for now.

But now I have to know if I have 2 males.....

@OrionN I think might be able to tell me.

 

[Crabby48]

I did see the one I know is a male, grab mine by the gill and violently shake her. He did let go, and they seem to be keeping away from each other for now.

But now I have to know if I have 2 males.....

@OrionN I think might be able to tell me.

I edit my post and think it’s possible you have two males. I’ll check with a friend in mean time

 

[Tamberav]

So I have always thought I had a female green mandarin. She has been with me a couple years now, and does not have the huge spike dorsal fin, indicative of a male mandarin.

I was at the LFS yesterday and they had a beautiful male that they have had for a few months now(I've been eyeing keeping an eye on it). I went ahead and purchased it, assuming my female would be fine with a larger male.

Well they met this morning, after last nights introduction to the tank. All they do is fight! Is this normal for mandarins, and the aggression will eventually calm down, or did I mess up and now have 2 males? I will bring the male back if I need to, my female is too precious to me.

Pic of the 2 fighting:

both males... they will fight for sure.

 

[Tamberav]

A female has NO SPIKE at all.

 

[homer1475]

Thank you. I know what I have to do.

 

[Crabby48]

Ugh I was afraid of that. Best of luck!

 

[Crabby48]

Forget the Penage on front thin “the spike. The front fin is smaller on females. So of the one with partial appendage has smaller front fin probably a female. To me and a friend we think it’s male and female but iffy

 

[Sean Clark]

On the plus side; now you have to get another tank

 

[homer1475]

They are leaving each other alone for now, so I will leave them be for now. I will certainly keep an eye on them.

 

[rmorris_14]

They are leaving each other alone for now, so I will leave them be for now. I will certainly keep an eye on them.

Hope it works out.. gorgeous fish.

 

[homer1475]

I think @Biota_Marine might be around. They might be able to help.

 

[homer1475]

Well just an update.

Left both mandies in the tank, woke up this morning to them sleeping next to each other.

 

[homer1475]

 

[New&no clue]

They look like male/female to me... but I'm not an expert. Here are my pair.

Just an FYI, males can sometimes try to "aggressively" mate with their females. And sometimes, the females just aren't having it.

 

[rmorris_14]

 

[Beau_B]

Seems this one ended well, but for others reading in the future, it’s good to remember established females won’t accept smaller “inferior “ males. I learned that the hard way. Seriously violent fish when it comes down to it. When they pair up and do the evening love dance though - what a treat!

 

[Crabby48]

Great news. I think you have male and female and it will work. Congratulations

 

[homer1475]

Seems this one ended well, but for others reading in the future, it’s good to remember established females won’t accept smaller “inferior “ males. I learned that the hard way. Seriously violent fish when it comes down to it. When they pair up and do the evening love dance though - what a treat!

And I knew this, kind of why I have been waiting to see a larger more dominant male. My female was a tiny biota captive breed. Just was not positive she was a she.

Obviously I now know I have a male and a female, and it looks like they have worked out their differences.

Today they are swimming together, and hunting together. No signs of aggression at all.