Tropical Fish Forums

[nonamethefish]

If you have been to the Aqualounge and read the story, a male and a female goldfish died today. The female was popped in the freezer about 10 minutes after death and the male about 3 hours. When my sis got, home, I thawed them out(felt like my mom washing a fish) and took some pics. To take some sting out of this unfortuanate occurance, the male and the female were both in breeding condition. I took a few photos of the main points to consider while sexing a goldfish. Just for reference, the male(Peaches) is yellowish, while the female(Casper) is the white one.


First off, females tend to be much plumper in breeding condition


Males, during breeding season, develop tubercles on the gill plates. See them in this photo?



The pectoral fin also grows "tubercles". On males who are more than several breeding years old, just by feeling the fin you can feel the tubercles, even out of breeding season. They are clearly shown in this photo.


Another thing, though this may not be surefire, is that males often have pointier pectoral fins.



Compared to the females rounded ones.


The Most important way to tell is by looking at the goldfishes vents. As can be seen in this photo. The males vent is flat, and sometimes pushed in.


The females vent, on the other hand, protrudes out.


Good Luck, and note that these techniques only work on mature fish, and tubercles are shown only in breeding condition

[FantailFishyUK]

As a breeder I must point out that there is only 1 100% accurate sexing method & thats to actually gain fertillised eggs from a pair.

For example of of my mature father goldies has an outward protruding vent, a little strange but hes definately a male however in the past year he has developed VERY strong tubercles all over the gill covers, around the eyes & the front rays of his pecs.

I mostly rely on tubercles (only VERY strong ones) and watching their mating chases.

[waldo]

I was wondering if male koi develope tubercles?My koi are 3 years old now and I would love to get babies this year.
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29 gal:4 green tiger barbs,4 albino tiger barbs,2 angels,2 cory cats,4 neons,2 scarlet dario dario

[nonamethefish]

[Jagz64]

Hi there what goldfishes are they called - Looking to buy some for my
new pond.