spotted mandarin sexing

[morrowss]

Does anyone have a pic between the male and female? Here's mine not sure if male or female but made the mistake of adding a larger male green mandarin to the tank and the spotted one torn into him to the point of me having to get the green one out within 10min...

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

You can determine sex of mandarins by the front spike on their dorsal fin. It is present in males, not in females. Note that sometimes the spike is damaged or missing when initially imported. The spike resembles an antenna, and is similar to that on certain species of anthias.

If it happened as fast as you described, I would guess they are both male.

 

[morrowss]

I can tell for sure with my green mandarins because of the long spikes i have 2 males of them but this spotted one doesnt seem to have any spike and ive had him for a couple years, when i google the spotted mandarin i can never find a pic of one with a long spike....im guessing this one is a male too.