Sexing cardinals

[HouseofStark]

Wondering if anyone would be able to tell me if this is a mated pair of cardinals? I’ve had this pair for 2-3 years. Wondering if they are male and a female or 2 females? I figured if they were both males they’d fight. And from what I read females had a shorter 2nd fin, and these seem to look identical.

 

[cdemoss01]

BUMPING #fishmedic may be able to help.

 

[HouseofStark]

Im starting to lean toward them both being female....never seen any breeding, eggs or little ones. :(

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Wondering if anyone would be able to tell me if this is a mated pair of cardinals? I’ve had this pair for 2-3 years. Wondering if they are male and a female or 2 females? I figured if they were both males they’d fight. And from what I read females had a shorter 2nd fin, and these seem to look identical.

I’ve never bred these, but they are slightly sexually dimorphic. The males have a more bulldog like jaw. However, this is relative thing and is most easily seen if you have a known male and female to compare side by side. I’m terrible at seeing that sort of relative difference(grin).

Here is a picture of a male holding eggs:
https://melevsreef.com/blogs/pajama...octurnal fish, not,they are ready to release.
Be aware though, that their larva are NOT precocious like bangaii cardinals. They would need planktonic food in a larval tearing tank like clownfish need.