Mcmasteri ..... or is it???

[TW]

Hi, my LFS sold these to me as a Mcmasteri pair. Whilst I don't know much about how these fish look, I'm doubtful. I think that, whatever they are, I have 2 females. That's ok if it is so, I'll just keep them in the community tank, as I quite like how they look. Just don't want to waste a breeding tank on 2 gals.

I have some pics. TO me, the only difference is that one is more yellow that the other. LFS repeatedly assured me that the yellow one is a male and the more silver fish is a female - which didn't seem right to me.

Here is the supposed male.

[TW]

Here is the supposed female.

What do you think. Do I have a mixed sex pair, or single sex & are they even mcmasteri. I tend to think I have 2 girls, whatever they are.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Cheers

[Th0mas]

Hi TW,

Take a look at the following two thread for some photos of macs.

http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12868

http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10203

I don't think just being yellow can say it's a male - the male has lots more red on the cheek and fins, while the female is generally very yellow.

Just out of curiosity - who brought some in? Are they wild caught or tank bred?

[TW]

Thanks Th0mas

I'd say then by your pics, I have 2 females. LFS (Auburn) said they were wild caught & were absolutely insistent it was a pair. Luckily, I liked them enough to have as display fish in the community. Not sure about the wild caught part either, as they took to pellets straight away.

They are both no longer than 2cm.

Would you agree then, more likely 2 girls

[Th0mas]

Now knowing they're only 2cm in length - then it would be a difficult call (having a close inspection may help).

My male is about 7-8cm in length and the female is about 5.5cm. Both were also bought as wild caught and I had them over 1.5 years now.

So given yours are only 2cm, it would be a bit early to tell unless the male has started to show signs of red pattern on it's cheek (like my male juveniles). Otherwise it would be a really tough call.

BTW - male macmasteri do gets extremely territorial when breeding.

[TW]

Thanks Th0mas

I'll let them grow a bit more. No sign of any red, just one is more yellow than the other. I'll watch for the territoriality as the grow too.

Thanks for the advice