wondering about altolamp. redfin compressiceps

[Jennifer]

I am excited as yesterday I got two compressiceps. Both are about 1.5 inches. I asked the guy to get me a male and a female. He said that he did but I was in a hurry as he was closing and forgot to ask which was which. How do I tell which one is a male and which one is a female. I would ask the fish store guy but the store is out of town and I don't know the number. How long will it take for them to grow and are they a hard fish to breed? I will be putting them into a 260gal. Aquarium soon as soon as it comes in. I can't wait. I had it custom made. It'll be 8ft. long x 2ft. tall x 2.5ft wide:D Anyway thanks for the help.

[aharris]

I doubt anyone can sex altocomps that young. At 1.5 inches, you would need a microscope to vent them which is about the only way to sex them reliably before they are fully mature.

You are also in for a long wait on that account too. I've had my four altocomps about 8-9 months. They were all about 1 inch when I got them, and the largest is now 2" with the others falling off in size down to barely over an inch. I'm hoping that the smaller two might be females but there's no way to know until they grow up in another year or even two.

There are some minor sexual characteristics that will become more pronounced as they grow. Males will have longer and higher fins along with a higher slope to their forehead. Based on this and his size, I'm guessing Burney (my 2") is probably a male. Females are more torpedo shaped and stay smaller.

You'll really know for sure if in a few years your two can't tolerate each other. Then you'll know you have two males.

The best bet with these fish is to buy either ventable adults (expensive) or to buy around 6 juvies and let them sort it out as they grow up.

[Jennifer]

thanks for your reply I kinda doubted that, that guy knew how to tell cause I really couldn't see any difference in them either. And I do remember reading soming awhile back that said they where hard to tell when small. I hope that they are female and male I guess only time will tell:I