how do you tell if a shubunkin is male or female?

Question

how, i really need to now.!!

Answer 1

Male gold fish, shubunkin and carp are generally more slender in shape than females. Females tend to be chubbier and almost pear shaped.

In the warmer, breeding months the males develop distinctive spotting around the gills and on their heads. These little bumps are white and quite noticeable during the breeding season.

Watching their behaviour at this time will also offer clues to gender. The male fish try to stimulate breeding by chasing the females around the pond or aquarium.

Answer 2

Telling the differences for any variety of goldfish is the same, but you'll need to wait until the fish are at least a year old, and the characteristics are only eveident during the time when they're about to spawn.

Males will get pimple-like structures on the covers over their gills and along the front edges of their side fins. There's aslo a difference in the shape of the vent (anus) of the fish at this time. This link has photos showing what you should look for specifically: http://www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/goldfish/info/sexing-fs.htm

The methods that are described in the above website are the most reliable to use. Other websites will mention characteristics such as a mid-line ridge, shape of the side fins, and behavior, but these aren't always as reliable. They should only be used when the fish are of the same age and variety, and only after you've had some experience looking at a large number of fish - even then it's often just a "guess".

In shubunkins, the females will more than likely be "plumper" when they're carrying eggs. This characteristic may not work so well with fancy varieties where a "heavily rounded" body is the normal body shape.