How do you determine the gender of a fish?

Question

Is it possible to tell the difference between a male and female goldfish, shebunkin and loach?

Answer 1

For the goldfish check this site out, it explains with pics how to determine the genders. http://www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/goldfish/info/sexing-fs.htm

As far as the loach I'm not sure but maybe someone else will know that.

Answer 2

Mature female Goldfish are usually plumper, and mature males have little bumps on their heads, called tubercles, that turn white and are easier to see, when the Goldfish spawn


The breeding tubercles (white pimply looking things) are not always easy to see on the males. They are more pronounced during breeding season (typically spring), but depending on the fish can be difficult to see. They are also more difficult to see in a pond setting than in an aquarium - the side view you have in an aquarium helps when you need to see their cheeks! I had a shubunkin whose tubercles were nearly impossible to see versus my white comet whose tubercles look like he has a white five o'clock beard shadow! My fish will often 'play' and chase each other, but the breeding chasing is serious business. The males are very single minded in their chasing - no relenting for anything and the females are doing anything they can to get away. It will help you sort out the boys from the girls if you can differentiate between your fish. If you see the same fish chasing or being chased time and time again you can probably be pretty sure about their sex. If you really want to figure it out you can pull your fish of the pond in a clear clean container or bag to get a good look. I've not heard about all boys or all girls participating in the breeding chasing behavior.


In most freshwater fish the male will have more color. In marine tropicals the female will have more (for blending in with the reef).

Go to the shop and ask for a male fish. If they fight, the other one is a male if they pee sitting down female
if they pee standing-male Female has round stomach when male has flat one. I am thinking of something that I think that I saw on APL. I think that most females are larger and the males are more brightly colored..or is that birds? Not sure i dunno tie a ring to a piece of string and hold it above the fish then if it goes bachk and forth then its a boy,if it goes in circles its a girl. u can tell by there shape by the color more colorfull=male pale=female If you look between the pectoral fins which are located just before the tail theres a hole. Where that hole is you should see a small 1/16 to 1/8 inch long......if it's male. If not than theres just a hole. some fish distinguish themselves by color only depending on species.

Answer 3

with the goldfish and shubunkin it is easy as long as they are over 4 to 5 inches, In the spring the males has white spots on there gill plates and front fins, The females are a little plumper as well. The loaches are hard to tell apart.

Answer 4

im really not sure

i used to have some guppies i think they where called, the boys had a long pointly tail and the girls didnt but goldfish - i couldnt say...

Answer 5

in breeding season females become fatter and males get tiny white spots on their head and gill covers

Answer 6

if you get a book on the fish. it will tell you about different marks etc you will find out that way!

Answer 7

i think boy fish go to the top and stay guard why the girls are down the bottom hidind from predetors

Answer 8

If it smells like a fish then its a female, if it dosent then its male

Answer 9

Use something to lift their gills. If underneath the gills are pinkish...they are females. If blueish...they are males....

Answer 10

If it swims with a wiggle, than its a girl! Usually!