Tropical Fish Forums

nonamethefish · Moderators Joined: 06 Feb 2003

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 · Members Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Location: Kent, ENGLAND

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 Confused

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 · New Members Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Location: Idaho

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 · Moderators Joined: 06 Feb 2003

Jagz64

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

Hanne_07 · New Members Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Location: Australia

It happened by accident that I got the following pics of our 2 goldfish, they just turned their rear towards me.
I am almost certain one is a boy and one is a girl, also regarding the pointy and rounder fins.

But maybe somebody with more experience can confirm?
UUPS Embarassed

, how can I post some pics here???

All info is much appreciated. THANKS
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rales12 · Regulars Joined: 03 Nov 2009 Location: Wyoming

Humphrey - This should help you figure out how to post pictures. Smile

Hanne_07 · New Members Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Location: Australia

THANK YOU SO MUCH [/url]http://s828.photobucket.com/albums/zz210/Hanne_07/

Hope this works

and maybe somebody can confirm if we got a boy and a girl Wink

diademhill · Advisors Joined: 18 Apr 2007

Hanne_07 · New Members Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Location: Australia

Thanks for your advise Diademhill.

Yes, I know, we already got our eyes on an other AquaOne, about as big as 3/4 bathtub, roughly 900 l

But GEEEEEE, never seen such a BIG goldie. What's his/her name?

Yes, our two little comets are abour 6cm. Hope for a while they will be happy in this tank until we can get the big one