Distinguish the gender of the goldfish. How to tell the gender of goldfish. Here are the main differences between males and females.
HOW TO DETERMINE GOLDEN FISH GENDER: MALE AND FEMALE!
Everyone wants to know the gender of their goldfish, unless of course goldfish are intended solely for decorative purposes. True fans of goldfish usually want to get offspring from them, and this is where sex determination becomes especially important. There are several ways to determine the sex of goldfish.
During spawning, male goldfish are easier to identify than females. Males develop tubercles or white bumps, growths along pectoral fins and operculums. In addition, the male develops jagged teeth on the paired front fins, the so-called "saw". Females become slightly asymmetrical, especially in the abdomen. They look bloated.
Photo of the structure of the goldfish 
Photo of a male goldfish
In the photo, the bumps are clearly visible, casting the Golden male from the female.
At the end of the spawning period and after several seasons of spawning in some males, the thoracic region becomes stiff. This state is rather difficult to determine, so those who are not capable of this can only be comforted by the realization that not many can distinguish a female goldfish from a male.
Here are a few more ways to determine the gender of a goldfish, but even they are useless. if the fish is not even a year old*, that is, if the fish has not reached sexual maturity.
1. Males have an outgrowth passing through the back of the pelvic fin to the anus. In females, this outgrowth is either completely absent, or much less.
2. In females, the area between the pelvic and anal fins is soft, while in males it is hard.
3. Although difficult to see, females 'anus is round and convex, while males' anus is thinner and concave.
4. The male's pelvic fins are pointed, while the female's pelvic fins are round and shorter.
5. The color of females is brighter and they are more active. This method will undoubtedly help to distinguish the female.
6. You can put a female goldfish in the aquarium and watch the reaction of the rest of the goldfish. The males will swim up to the new fish, and the females will not show interest.
Here's another photo of male and female goldfish
photo male goldfish Oranda male goldfish Telescope
photo of a female telescope goldfish
photo of a female Veiltail goldfish
photo male and female goldfish koi carps
A useful video on how to determine the sex of a goldfish - male or female, boy or girl :)
* Do not be surprised if in a pet store when buying goldfish, give a male and a female to your question, they will answer you that this is not possible! Sexual differences in the family of goldfish appear only with the onset of sexual maturity, i.e. after 1 year.
Oranda - little red riding hood
Appearance
The difference between a male and a female
Sexual characteristics in these fish are poorly expressed, and it is unlikely that it will be possible to determine the sex of a particular individual with a 100% guarantee before spawning. Males are usually slightly smaller than females, and white spots appear on their heads during the breeding season.
Oranda are long-livers and, if properly maintained, live in an aquarium for up to 15 years, while growing up to 24 cm.
Compatibility with other fish
Features of behavior
Feeding
Oranda - a fish with a headdress
Description
Feeding
Compatibility
Breeding
The aquarium red riding hood becomes sexually mature by 1.5 years of age. For breeding, individuals from 2 years old are selected. It is better to breed orandas in spring, when the belly of the females begins to fill with eggs, and the males keep to the ovipositor. You will need a container of 50 liters or more with a temperature of 23 ° -24 ° C. A female and a pair of males are pre-seated for 2 weeks and fed with live food. A smooth substrate, a protective net and plants are placed in the spawning grounds. Spawning begins in the early morning and lasts for several hours. The number of eggs depends on the health and maturity of the female, usually these fertile fish spawn from 2 thousand eggs.
After spawning, the producers must be removed. It is also necessary to examine the eggs and remove the cloudy and whitish ones. The incubation period lasts 2-3 days. Live dust is the starting food for swimming fry. As they grow older, the fry are sorted to avoid eating smaller and weaker fish. The fry are also fed rotifers and special food for goldfish. The fry are born with yellow caps and grow slowly. To achieve a red tint on the cap, you can use special feeds to improve the color and the introduction of coloring injections.
Black How to distinguish a female from a male fish :: parsing aquarium fish :: Aquarium fish
To distinguish fish gender is not easy. This can be done only visually, but, in this case, the result may be unreliable. It is much easier to ask the seller right away when buying. But even a person who sells fish does not always know who is male and who is female. Try to make a comparative analysis of individuals according to their appearance.
The question “opened a pet store. Business is not going. What to do? "- 2 answers
Instructions
1. Determining the size of the sex of the fish is quite difficult. Females are not always smaller than males. In the period of preparation for spawning, females have an increase in the size of the abdomen, while in males everything remains the same.
2. It is worth paying attention to their color. Males have a bright color, while females, on the contrary, often have a nondescript appearance.
3. The fins and tail of males are usually longer than those of females. The color is bright, saturated. Changes in the color of the fins are sometimes noticeable during the spawning period. At this time, they become even brighter, additional pigmentation appears.
The fin coloration of females remains unchanged.
4. If you cannot tell the difference male from the female, but you see a visual difference in their structure, then, most likely, you have different-sex fish and, possibly, offspring will appear in the near future. If there is no difference, then contact the pet store. Consult a specialist and buy another fish.
How to distinguish a female mollies :: how to grow mollies :: Aquarium fish
Mollies are aquarium fish of the pecilia family. V wildlife different kinds mollies live in water bodies of Mexico, Colombia, America, Mexico. Male and female mollies are distinguished by the shape of the anal fin. Females have a rounder body shape and are viviparous, i.e. do not spawn, but give birth to live fry.
Instructions
1. Males differ from females in shape, size and structure of fins.
2. Males are usually smaller than females and reach only 8 cm in length, while females are up to 12 cm.
3. Males have a more elongated body, in contrast to the rounded body of females.
4. Male mollies are distinguished by the presence of a tubular anal fin - gonopodia. This fin is a reproductive organ and is located under the belly of the fish.
5. It is believed that mollies are quite capricious in their content. They require significant aquarium volumes (at least 6 liters for a couple of adults), clean, transparent, oxygen-rich water with a weekly change.
6. For the possibility of reproduction, it is necessary to provide many open areas in the aquarium, as well as many thickets, driftwood for shelter. In addition, mollies are thermophilic (water temperature 25-30 ° C). V fresh water it is necessary to add sea or table salt (2-3 g per liter).
7. The mollies tank should be well lit most of the time of the day. You also need natural sunlight.
8. Mollies eat everything, their food can be live, vegetable or dry. A variety of herbal supplements are required. These fish live up to 5 years, so they are advised to breed even the most inexperienced aquarists.
9. Females of mollies are viviparous, ie. do not spawn, but give birth to live fry.
Sexual maturity occurs at 1 year. Females and males can be kept in the same tank until the female becomes pregnant.
10. Then it is necessary to remove male from the aquarium so that it does not irritate the female. After 35-45 days, the female will be able to bring the first offspring. For the first time, a female can give birth to up to 30 fry. Childbirth can take several hours.
11. After the fry are born, some females look round because they contain fertilized eggs in the womb, which then develop into new fry. So, in a month she will again be able to give birth to another batch of small mollies. The female can give birth 5-6 times. Then she should be planted again with the male.
note
When buying a fish, pay attention to whether its anal fin ends in a tassel. Often, under the guise of chic mollies, industrial hybrids of mollies and guppies are sold - guppinesia. These fish are sterile.
Helpful advice
After your female mollies has given birth, examine her carefully. If the fish still looks round, do not rush to put it back in the general aquarium. Most likely, there are still fertilized eggs in her womb, and in a month she will give birth to another batch of fry.
Goldfish are quite demanding on their maintenance and care, so their owners must have some knowledge in this area, as well as take into account a large number of nuances.
People who have coped with all the difficulties begin to think quite often about breeding goldfish. And the main problem they face is how to determine the sex of a goldfish.
Distinctive features of male and female goldfish
The gender of a goldfish can be determined by the following differences:
- The female has a rounder body and looks bloated;
- The male has small sawtooth-like serrations located on the pectoral fins;
- The female has shorter and more rounded pelvic fins;
- During the spawning period, white tubercles appear on the gill covers, as well as along the anterior fins, which is considered characteristic feature male goldfish. However, it should be noted that the appearance of such growths may indicate the disease of ichthyophthyriosis, therefore, the main thing is not to confuse the symptoms of the disease with excellent sexual characteristics. The female goldfish is more aggressive and brighter than the male.
- In addition, you can determine the sex of a fish by its behavior. So, in the spring, the behavior of males becomes more active - he diligently tries to look after the female, accompanying her along the entire trajectory of her movement around the aquarium.
Period of appearance of distinctive sexual characteristics
It should be noted right away that any differences between male and female do not become visible until the goldfish reaches its sexual maturity, the onset of which, on average, occurs after the first year of life. Before that, it is not possible to visually distinguish the sex of the fish.
In addition, the onset of puberty can be significantly delayed due to the small volume of the aquarium and poor diet. Ideally, more than 40 liters of water should be diverted per goldfish, and the food should be rich in protein.
There is a misconception that goldfish primitive in care. In fact, they are hefty demanding, and when breeding them, a lot of nuances appear. But, having learned to overcome difficulties, many owners think about breeding their aquarium pets. If in many species of aquarium fish it is rather primitive to distinguish the female from the male (in color, size), then with goldfish the situation is the opposite.
You will need
- Aquarium, goldfish, magnifier
Instructions
1. Goldfish become sexually mature by two years, although it depends on the usefulness and variety of the diet and the conditions in which they are kept. At the same time, the volume of the aquarium plays a significant role - at least 40 liters is needed for one goldfish, and each “glass house” must be at least 100 liters. In small volumes, the fish progress poorly, become, as it were, "drawn out" and incapable of spawning. In impeccable conditions, there were cases of early puberty - by one and a half years, while the diet was intense with proteins. Consequently, before this age, even an experienced owner will not be able to distinguish between a male and a female.
2. When the fish are ready to breed, the first differences between the male and the female begin to appear. The body of the female takes on a rounded shape, a small spherical tummy appears, while the male is more lean.
3. On the front paired fins of the male, there are characteristic notches, which in appearance resemble small saw teeth. This is a pivotal sign by which it is allowed to distinguish a male from a female even not during the matrimonial period.
4. With the beginning of spring, sexually mature goldfish begin their courtship period. At this time, the male is invisibly different from the female in his behavior. He behaves hefty energetically, violently caring for his girlfriend, chasing her through every aquarium.
5. Another main sign of the male can be called the origin of white tubercles on the head and gill covers during the spawning period. Occasionally, these bumps can be found on the front fins, and the same symptoms can appear in case of a serious disease of aquarium fish - ichthyophthyriosis. On the fins of the fish, tubercles appear, similar to semolina. The main thing is not to confuse the male's spawning signs with this disease.
Goldfish are a subspecies of goldfish. Regardless of the name, these fish may differ in color. Often in nature, there are red, white, black individuals. In addition, goldfish are capable of changing color throughout life. Basically, metamorphosis occurs in the 1st year of life, however, in some cases, the fish can change the shade of the scales even after puberty. On average, goldfish are ready to spawn closer by 7-8 months, however, it is better if they begin to breed later than they are 2-4 years old. During this period, they reach the maximum brightness of the color of the scales and fins. Until that time, it is very problematic to realize what gender your goldfish is.
You will need
- In order to realize what gender your pet is, you need to take a close look at it during the spawning period. If two different-sex fish live in the aquarium, then you will immediately be able to determine which of them is male and who is female.
Instructions
1. Compare the sizes first fish... Males are usually slightly smaller than females. At the same time, the latter have a more rounded belly. Also, males have a slightly convex anus, while in females, on the contrary, it is allowed to notice a depression in this area.
2. A few days before spawning, white specks appear on the gills of males. On the first rays of the pectoral fins, it is also allowed to notice small clear notches, which some breeders call “saws”.
3. During the spawning period, males become very energetic. They begin to chase females around the aquarium, and also "stick" to the brides, pinning them into a corner.
Related Videos
Note!
If you are looking to breed goldfish, remember that they need plenty of room for typical coexistence. Therefore, before acquiring a companion or partner for your pet, take care of stretching its living space.
Helpful advice
If a goldfish lives alone, then it will be difficult to determine its gender. True, occasionally in males ready for spawning, sexual signs can arise regardless of whether there is a partner nearby. In this case, many novice breeders get scared and think that the fish is sick with something.
Chinese and Japanese breeders have bred several famous goldfish species. Some people think they are very easy to take care of due to their immense popularity. Occasionally, a person can be given a primitive goldfish for some kind of merit or easily as a virgin present, which will inevitably prompt a person to think about how to care for goldfish so that they live well in his aquarium.
It is worth saying that in cases where the fish does not receive proper care, it dies quite rapidly. Occasionally she lives every three to four days. In order to provide positive care for goldfish, you must certainly take into account what kind of aquarium you have, and also know what needs to be done with the water before launching the fish into it. It is also important to decide what to feed the animal. If we talk about choosing the right aquarium, it should be said that these fish die in small aquariums. The larger the fish itself or the larger their number, the larger the volume of the glass dwelling should be. Also, future owners must know that the water must be enriched with oxygen. The main point is the choice of the "contents" of the aquarium. For example, it is necessary to put gravel on the bottom, because bacteria live on it, which absorb ammonia and its layer decreases in the water. As for the temperature that needs to be maintained in order to keep the goldfish, it should not be less than or more than 21 degrees. In order to keep one goldfish, you will do well: Aquarium for 40 liters - 1 pc. Aquarium filter, with the probability of pumping air - 1 pc. Thermometer for aquariums Medium-sized gravel Aquarium snails Catfish - 2 individuals Special food for goldfish Literature on the table of contents for goldfish 1. Place the aquarium in a suitable location in your home or apartment. 2. Place medium-sized gravel on the bottom of the aquarium. 3. Install the pumping air filter. 4. Install a special thermometer. 5. Pour clean water into the aquarium. 6. Introduce snails and catfish into the aquarium. 7. Wait a few days or even a week. 8. Make sure that the temperature in the aquarium is 21 degrees. 9. Start the goldfish. 10. Check how much the fish eats at one time. 11. Never overfeed your goldfish! 12. Never use small aquariums to contain your goldfish.
Related Videos
Goldfish are a decoration for any aquarium. Some people think that caring for them is hefty primitive, but in fact there are several nuances that require special comprehension. Reproduction is one such issue. How to find out floor this kind of aquarium fish?
Instructions
1. Goldfish reach floor marketing maturity by only two years. Before this time, do not try to define them. floor, this is virtually unrealistic. However, there were cases when, under impeccable conditions of the table of contents and a diet rich in proteins, males matured to floor chorus for years. These fish progress badly in small rooms, so the volume of the aquarium should be at least one hundred liters.
2. Observe the fish as they mature. At this time, the bodies of the females take on a rounded shape, and the males remain lean. It was at this time that it was allowed to notice the first differences in the structure. gold fish of various floor a.
3. With the help of a magnifying glass, make out the front paired fins. In mature males, it is allowed to see characteristic notches on them, reminiscent of a saw with small teeth. By this sign it is allowed to distinguish floor fish not even during the matrimonial period, but only in floor ripe individuals.
4. Early spring floor mature goldfish enter the courtship and mating season. Males begin to differ strongly from females precisely in behavior. They are hefty energetic, chase females in every aquarium, and take care of them violently and passionately. Having watched the mating game, you can easily distinguish floor their pets.
5. Also, observingly making out the head of the fish through a magnifying glass, you will notice another key mark of the male. White tubercles appear on the head and operculums during the spawning period. The main thing - do not confuse them with the signs of ichthyophthyroidism - a disease gold fish, in which a white bloom appears on the fins, somewhat similar to semolina. Spawning signs appear only during the breeding season.
6. After spawning, strictly transfer the fish to a previously prepared reserve reservoir. This is done so that the aquarium inhabitants do not eat their offspring. The jigger, as well as the rod reservoir, must be equipped with a filter and a supply of clean air.
Related Videos
There can be a lot of reasons for the death of aquarium fish. Ideally, the environment in the aquarium should be as similar as possible to the natural habitat of the species of fish that you have settled in it. If there are any deviations, this can lead to health problems and even the death of your pets.
Aquarium fish must be provided with perfectly clean water, naturally the aquarium must be perfectly illuminated and filtered. And, of course, it is impossible to forget about feeding and living plants. It would seem that it is easy enough to fulfill these requirements, what can go wrong? More often than everyone, the fish die as a result of the following violations.
Main reasons
The first reason is poor quality water. If you often unsatisfactorily clean your aquarium, then the waste products of the fish decompose and poison the water with nitrogen compounds. During the day, the fish accumulates a huge number of feces - up to a third of its weight. In addition, do not overfeed your pets, on the contrary, uneaten food will begin to decompose. Unfortunately, many novice aquarists are poorly guided in similar issues and completely forget about timely cleaning. Nitrogen compounds such as ammonium, nitrate and nitrite make themselves felt unpleasant odor and turbidity The second reason is incorrect adaptation of purchased fish to new conditions. The crux of the problem is that the water in your pet store aquariums and the water in your home can vary dramatically in parameters such as pH tier, temperature, and hardness. It is impossible to primitively take and throw a newly acquired fish into your aquarium, it can be shocked. You need to attach a bag with a new fish to the glass of the aquarium, set weak aeration and add aquarium water to the bag every 10-15 minutes. After an hour and a half, the water from the bag can be poured into the sink, and the fish run into the aquarium. For better adaptation of new fish, it is desirable to add a special anti-stress drug to the aquarium.
What does the wrong table of contents lead to?
The third fairly common reason is various diseases. But it is worth noting that the variant of the disease should be considered only when the likelihood of clogging or maladjustment is excluded. Yes, and here it is necessary to make a reservation that the fish get sick due to a decrease in immunity caused by unfavorable conditions. If one fish has died, or a pestilence has begun, you need to consult with an expert who is not interested in selling expensive drugs. To prevent disease, take good care of the fish, and quarantine diseased and recently acquired imported fish. Finally, list the unfavorable factors that can negatively affect the health of your fish, which can lead to death. These factors include tap water that breaks down in winter time heater, lack of oxygen, finally, aggression from other fish.
Related Videos
Parrot fish belong to the cichlid family. Quite often, this type of fish is allowed to be found in our aquariums. West Africa- the homeland of aquarium fish parrots. The male at home reaches a length of no more than seven centimeters, the female grows up to five centimeters.
The male of this species of fish starts only one pair, so it is recommended to grow upcoming manufacturers in a separate aquarium, the volume of which should not be less than forty liters. Take ten fry there. If you do not want to separate them separately, then it is better to keep them during the spawning period of parrots with species that live in the upper layers of the water - this will help to avoid permissible clashes. Fish are ready to reproduce at about one year of age. Males, at the moment of readiness, find a mate for themselves, look for a suitable shelter. They will not let anyone in there any closer. The temperature of the water to stimulate spawning should be no higher than 28 degrees. The female parrot fish spawns about 300 eggs during the breeding season, their color is reddish-chestnut. The fish preliminarily prepare special shelters for the larvae after hatching. These shelters look like holes. After five days, the young begin to swim little by little, feed on plankton.
Tip 7: How it reproduces aquarium fish Danio: conditions
Even a novice aquarist will not be difficult to get the offspring of a zebrafish aquarium fish. Despite the fact that this is not a viviparous fish, but spawning, it will take a little time and expenses: a small horizontal aquarium, several plants, pebbles and two weeks of patience.
Danio are small, peaceful schooling fish of the carp family. In nature, they live in flowing or stagnant water bodies of Asia. They can even live in flooded rice fields. They are not demanding on living conditions and are suitable for beginners. Aquarium zebrafish grow up to 5 cm long, have an oblong body. The color can be of various shades - from whitish to silver, golden, pinkish, depending on the color of the close longitudinal stripes on a clear background. Danio are omnivorous. They usually live in aquariums for 2 years, sometimes 4-5 years.
Spawning ground preparation
The zebrafish are small, therefore, a glass horizontal container with a volume of 3-5 liters each is suitable as a spawning ground. 3-4 plants are laid out on the bottom, which are pressed down with smooth pebbles. Standing water is poured into the container, with a temperature of 24-25 ° C. The zebrafish reach maturity at 4-10 months. For better spawning, experts recommend changing up to 20% of the water in the aquarium a week before. Fresh water should be settled and have a cool temperature - about 20 ° C. After that, 3 days before spawning, females and males should be transferred to different aquariums. The female from the male zebrafish is distinguished by a more rounded abdomen and more distinct stripes on the back. During this period, the fish are energetically fed with high-calorie food, say, a bloodworm or a coretra. On a certain day, the spawning ground is transferred to a well-lit place and one female with an obviously thickened abdomen at the anus and two or three vigorous male zebrafish are placed in it.
Breeding zebrafish
After the landing of the fish, spawning occurs the next morning, at dawn, or every other day. It is fascinating to keep track of how the males begin to chase the female and chase her through each spawning ground, striking right on the belly of the fish. Thus, they stimulate it to eject eggs, which they fertilize here. The eggs gradually settle, for about an hour, and attach to the bottom of the spawning ground. After the end of spawning, the zebrafish are transferred to the general aquarium. Pebbles from the bottom of the spawning grounds are removed so that the plants emerge. At the same time, transparent balls-eggs are perfectly visible at the bottom. After 3-5 days, fish emerge from the eggs. They grow quite richly. Young animals are fed with ciliates, "live dust", special feed for fry. Female zebrafish lays up to 400 eggs, but no more than 100 fry survives to adulthood. In a week, the female is again ready for spawning.
Related Videos
Goldfish are a species of freshwater crucian carp. They are well-known among lovers of aquarium fish. However, not all of those who have a goldfish take care of it properly, although this is not at all difficult to do.
Aquarium
There is a large variety of breeds belonging to the species of goldfish, for example, "Ryukin", "Lionhead", "Vualekhvost", etc. Some of these fish reach 25 - 30 cm in length, therefore, if you decide to have similar fish, be prepared for the fact that you will need a fairly large aquarium with a capacity of 100 to 200 liters. These sizes of the aquarium are needed so that the fish live as long as possible. Small aquariums rapidly accumulate ammonia, which is the reason for the death of fish. When choosing a substrate for an aquarium, remember that goldfish often burrow into it in search of food, this can cause pieces of stones to get into their mouths. If you are holding these fish, it is advisable to cover the aquarium with huge stones or hefty fine sand. Neither one nor the other will damage the fish. Wherever you take the soil, you need to thoroughly rinse it before sending it to the aquarium. This also applies to special soil, which is allowed to buy in specialized stores. Be sure to place real aquatic plants in the aquarium. They will help to effectively fight ammonia and other harmful substances that accumulate in it over time. Also provide a good supply of light from the lamps. Goldfish require an average of about 12 hours of light a day, and aquariums must be equipped with a water filter to contain goldfish. It will help keep the water as clean as possible and prevent fish diseases from harmful impurities, say, from rotten food particles.
Habitat care
Check the water regularly for the presence of ammonia, its tier should always be at zero. In addition, the table of contents of goldfish imposes certain restrictions on the ph level of the water, make sure that this indicator is in the range from 6 to 8. Be diligent to regularly clean the aquarium from harmful particles that are not removed by the filter, do this at least one once a week. If you do not drain the water to replace it, be careful not to remove the fish from the aquarium, use a vacuum pump to clean it. If you change the water, carry the fish with the help of the container, do not use a net for this. Always prepare the water for the aquarium properly, use special conditioners for the aquarium, they help to bring the water to the desired state. Never use clean drinking water, it will lack many suitable substances that these fish need.
Feeding and disease
Note!
If spawning is successful, then one must remember that goldfish can eat their offspring. Consequently, immediately after spawning, they need to be transplanted into a jig. It should be equipped with a filter and air supply, and differ from the aquarium only in a smaller volume.
Helpful advice
It's cooler than everyone to keep goldfish at temperatures no higher than 24 degrees.
Consider what else you should pay attention to to determine the sex of these representatives of the genus of crucian carp. It should be noted that almost all of the physiological and behavioral traits listed in this article relate to healthy individuals with a normal diet.
After all, a sick male will not pursue a female during the mating season; a female that has been underfed will look like a male in shape; A swollen belly may be a symptom of a disease, not a female.
Distinguish the fish
gender is not easy. This can be done only visually, but, in this case, the result may be unreliable. It is much easier to ask the seller right away when buying. But even a person who sells fish does not always know who is male and who is female. Try to make a comparative analysis of individuals by their appearance.
The question “opened a pet store. Business is not going. What to do? "- 2 answers
Mollies
Are aquarium fish of the pecilia family. In the wild, various types of mollies live in the waters of Mexico, Colombia, America, Mexico. Male and female mollies are distinguished by the shape of the anal fin. Females have a rounder body shape and are viviparous, i.e. do not spawn, but give birth to live fry.
Sumatran barbs (Latin Puntius tetrazona) are beautiful schooling fish native to the freshwater bodies of Southeast Asia.
Usually they are bought in a flock of 10-20 individuals, from which in the future pairs are chosen for breeding fry. How to distinguish a male from a female, if these fish are so similar to each other?
Puntius tetrazona is an active fish that aquarists love very much. The body is rounded, flattened at the sides, short and high. By external description similar to the common crucian carp (also a related fish of the Carp family). But the color of the body is slightly different - on a silver background, four vertical stripes of black are visible, the most extreme ones pass through the eyes and the base of the tail.
The Sumatran barb has its first sexual characteristics at the age of 3 months. You can distinguish between a male and a female by the caudal fin and color. In the male, the extreme rays of the tail are colored red. Sexual maturity of fish occurs at the age of 8-10 months, until this age all young animals must be kept together.
See how to tell a female from a male in a Sumatran barbus.
Later, the Sumatran barb matures, and acquires clear sex differences. The male has a bright body color, during spawning it becomes even brighter, and the fins are colored. In females, the color of the scales is faded, the abdomen is full and rounded, the body size is noticeably larger. The male is distinguished by an angular body, active behavior.
From the age of 8-12 months (depending on the conditions of keeping and feeding), barbs can be bred. During one spawning, a young female can bring more than 500 eggs. However, not all eggs will be fertilized and not all larvae will become fry. If the female is not given the opportunity to spawn, the eggs will harden, which can lead to the death of the fish. Reproduction is a natural necessity for all fish, so you should not be afraid to breed them.
The mutant barbus is a popular aquarium fish that outwardly resembles the Sumatran barbus. In fact, these fish are related species. The mutant is a descendant of the "Sumatran", and with each spawning, the mutant fry more and more resemble their ancestor. The mutant is distinguished by a spectacular color of scales - the body is dark, it has orange fins.
After spawning fish, you can see that 25% of their offspring are one to one similar to the Sumatran barbs. Mutants can breed with Sumatrans, and in the brood 75% of fry will acquire the traits of a Sumatran parent. The body size of an adult mutant reaches 7-10 cm. The body is elongated, low and flattened at the sides.
See the aquarium with mutant Sumatran and barbs.
The main color of the selection breed "mutant" is green, with a blue shimmer, there are no stripes on the body. The dorsal fin and pelvic fins are edged in red. Other fins may be partially colored or discolored. Together, these fish can only be kept from the age of 10 months (when they became sexually mature).
The male mutant barbus is slightly smaller than the female, characterized by a bright, green body color. Puberty occurs at the age of 7 months (depending on feeding and conditions of detention). To breed these fish, you need to choose young producers, the male should be 3 months older than the females. Adult "mutants" can breed in a common aquarium, but some of the eggs and fry will be destroyed by their parents.
Effective breeding will provide a spawning box with a volume of 20 liters or more, on the bottom of which you need to place a separator net, plants (Javanese moss, kabomba or pinnate). The mutant barbus is ready for spawning at a water temperature of 26 ° C, hardness aquatic environment 8o, acidity 6.5 pH.
In the spawning grounds, you can run a pair - a male and a female, or 2 males and one female. Before breeding, opposite-sex fish are seated in otzadniki for 1 month, and during this time they are fed with live and plant food. The diet of males should be saturated with protein foods (daphnia, bloodworms, shrimps, mussels), and females should be given more plant foods. The female ready for breeding has a swelling in the back of the abdomen.
Many people are attracted to aquarium today. City apartments and even offices are decorated with aquariums. It is interesting to look at ornamental fish in a small pond created in an apartment. Only by choosing fish, it does not hurt to first find out in what conditions they can live. Many individuals have great sensitivity, it will take a lot of effort to keep them.
How to distinguish a male
For the last individual to live, it is necessary to create favorable conditions, because it has a special sensitivity. Its natural environment is brackish warm water bodies. Mollies like to hide behind plants, so there should be a lot of algae in the aquarium.
A naturalist can distinguish mollies by looking at how the anal fin works. Females have a round fin. In the male, this limb is folded into a tube, as seen in the photo. They can be distinguished by the formed genital organ - gonopodia.
How to distinguish a female
The difference between females is in their size. You can hardly find a big male. But the male has a very bright color, and the body has large fins.
You can breed mollies in a normal setting. It is not necessary to provide special conditions for this. The main thing is that the temperature in the aquarium is 22-30 degrees. Sharp drops are harmful for the fish. The water must be clean. It should not be allowed to bloom.
- The fish are examined and their anal fin is found. You should look at the belly of the individual and find the anus. It is located next to the unpaired caudal fin. If the individual is feminine, then it has a triangular fin, if it is male, then the shape of the fin resembles a tube. With this fin, the individual performs internal fertilization, since the fish are viviparous. This trait is used to determine the sex of any viviparous fish.
- There are mollies, which are distinguished by their size. The size of the male is smaller than that of the female. The activity of males is higher. She talks about the ability of an individual to produce healthy offspring. The sailing type of mollies is different from the usual one.
- An adult male of an individual Mollienesia velifera has a huge dorsal fin in the form of a sail, so this fish is called Sailfish: photo
The female has the usual small dorsal fin.
Going to the store or the market for fish, you need to be able to distinguish a girl from a boy, because the seller's task is to sell his goods as soon as possible, and he may not understand such issues. You can get it beautiful fish in an aquarium, only it should have the ability to reproduce.
Of course, who would not want to get luxurious mollies with paired fins in the form of large brushes. Only in this case it is difficult to distinguish a male from a female, because the paired fin will also end in a large brush. It's the same with the anal fin. This occurs because this fish was created from two species of individuals and is called guppinesia. Having stumbled upon a similar fish in a store, you should know that it is sterile and not suitable for breeding.
If we consider these fish on a viviparous basis, then it is worth paying attention to the size of their abdomen. Pregnant individuals are transferred to another section of the aquarium. This is necessary so that the offspring are not eaten by the fathers. In a separate aquarium, dense plantings are made. The fry like to hide under them.
The fry eat ciliates and other small live food. Their food must have plant components: photo
Large aquariums should be used when breeding a sailing species, as this species can grow up to 12 cm in length. Do not place large viviparous fish with fry. They can eat them.
The sex of the cubs of the normal or balloon type is not immediately determined. When they reach puberty, it becomes clear who will be the father and who will be the mother: photo
With improper maintenance, feeding and care, the inhabitants of the aquarium begin to feel unwell, but they cannot say about it. Often, they find out that an epidemic has appeared when it is already too late.
Owners of a goldfish aquarium are usually interested in what gender their pets are. This is important for the possibility of breeding them. Of course, if they are kept only for decorative purposes, then gender does not matter, since they are not territorial, and they do not need a flock. We will find out how you can distinguish a male goldfish from a female.
When is it easier to find out the gender of a goldfish
Before puberty, it is almost impossible to determine their gender. It usually happens around a year. During the spawning period, the situation begins to change - differences appear in males and females.
At this time, males begin to actively pursue females, being somewhat behind them, pressing them against the walls of the aquarium or decorative elements, against vegetation in order to provoke spawning. True, a pair of males in an aquarium without a female presence will also chase each other. 
1. Gill covers and scales of females do not have wart formations as in males; 2. The anal opening of the female before spawning becomes denser and swells - it becomes convex and clearly noticeable; 3. Strongly prominent rounded body of a goldfish During the spawning period, they also undergo external changes - on the gills and pectoral fins, small white outgrowths similar to millet appear, and on a pair of pectoral fins, small notches called "saws" are observed. However, in some males, growths do not appear at all, but sometimes they can appear in females.
Important! Puberty depends on the breed and gender of the goldfish. There are varieties in which males mature by 9 months, and females have to wait up to 3 years to mature.
During this period, the female is rounded, her abdomen swells and becomes asymmetrical. The body of males has a slimmer, streamlined shape. However, it is difficult to determine by the shape of the body in some breeds (for example, in the Ryukin), since in all their representatives the body is rounded and swollen. 
1. High dorsal fin; 2. Sharp, spiny at the ends, fin bony rays; 3. The sensitive organ of the lateral line; 4. Tail or tail base; 5a. Warty outgrowths on the operculums of males during the mating season; 5b. Wart outgrowths on the scales of males before spawning of females; 6. Outgrowths on the head in the form of peculiar tendrils with pompoms - balls, tassels or fringes at their tips; 7. Nostrils; 8. Head; 9. Double caudal fin (there are goldfish with three and four veil caudal fins); 10. Pectoral fins; 11. Anal fin; 12. Pelvic fins; 13. Mouth; 14. Eye; 15. Egg-shaped body of a goldfish; 16a. Capillary ducts of the lower half of the double tail; 16b. Capillary ducts of the upper half of the double tail; 17. Anal opening; 18. Gill covers
How to distinguish goldfish: female from male
Consider what else you should pay attention to to determine the sex of these representatives of the genus of crucian carp. It should be noted that almost all of the physiological and behavioral traits listed in this article relate to healthy individuals with a normal diet.
After all, a sick male will not pursue a female during the mating season; a female that has been underfed will look like a male in shape; A swollen belly may be a symptom of a disease, not a female.
Video: how to tell the gender of goldfish
Outgrowth
You should have a good look at your pets from below. Males have a noticeable outgrowth located between the back of the pelvic fin and the anus. In females, it is absent or little noticeable.
The area between the pelvic and anal fins
In females, the area between the pelvic and anal fins is soft to the touch, while in males it is hard.
To determine the sex, it is recommended to carefully examine the anus. In female goldfish, it has a more roundish shape, and even protrudes a little during the onset of the mating season. When viewed from the side, in females, the anus looks like a bulge in the abdominal region. 
Female's anal hole
It should also be noted that in females, the fin near the anus is denser than in males.
Did you know? Goldfish are bred by breeders only after they have reached their full development. This usually happens when the fish is 2-4 years old.
The very shape of the anus in males is narrower and elongated, that is, somewhat oval. It is usually concave rather than convex like the opposite sex. 
Male anal hole It should be borne in mind that in females, the anus does not always protrude outward, and sometimes such a picture is observed in males.
Did you know? The longest-living goldfish, Fred, lived 41 years in the UK. On average, these fish live from 4 to 5 years, and under optimal conditions, they can live up to 10-15 years.
Pelvic fins
On the belly of females, the fins are rounder and somewhat shorter in size than those of males. In males, they are, respectively, larger and pointed.
Coloration
Females have a slightly brighter color. In addition, they behave more actively than males of this species. One of the distinctive features of males is the presence of small, but clearly visible outgrowths in the form of whitish tubercles in the area of the gill covers. 
They appear during the spawning period, but in males that have lived for several years and have already gone through many mating periods, they can be observed constantly. When goldfish have not reached sexual development, it is impossible to determine whether they are female or male.
Important! Determining the sex of a goldfish follows from the totality of the above physiological signs. They are not always reliable, as there are exceptions among them.
But when they are ripe, physiological signs and behavioral changes appear during the spawning period, by the combination of which you can easily do this. If you want your goldfish to breed, then you should buy several copies, not a couple. Then the likelihood of having different-sex individuals is higher, but the aquarium, respectively, then you should choose large sizes.