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If you have a fish pond, fish tank or are seeking advice about keeping tropical fish, you can find advice on our Fish forum.

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Original poster

Could my male guppy actually be female?

8 replies

Marne · 21/04/2012 15:43

One of the guppies we bought last week has a smaller tail than the others, we were told it was a male guppy. Today i have noticed the other guppies (all male) chasing it around and nipping it and then it does the same back (is getting quite agresive). I am starting to think tha goldie maybe female. Will he/she still be ok in a tank full of males?

OP posts:

FermezLaBouche · 21/04/2012 15:45

I think you could be right. If so, I would definitely get a few more females to balance it out - I think the ideal ratio is 1 male for every 2 females.

BTW did you manage to convince your husband to let you keep the bargain tank you picked up? (Hope it was you and not someone else!)

thisisyesterday · 21/04/2012 15:46

i think female guppies tend to have far more muted colours... so that might be a giveaway?

i had definitely all males and they did still chase each other around a bit...

mumnosbest · 21/04/2012 15:54

Think the ratio is 1 to 4. They do have muted colours and smaller tails. If you notice a black spot on her belly you may have little guppies on their way. They breed like mad :)

Original poster

Marne · 21/04/2012 15:56

I'm still working on the tank (but should get my own way)

The guppy is Orange (orange tail, mainly orange body but not much colour on the top fin), its not as colourful as the others but quite a bright orange, its tail seems a lot smaller than the other males. I dont think i have any more room to put more females in (60ltr tank which has 6 guppies and 4 rummy nose tetras, oh and baby bristle nose pleco), she may have to go in the other tank (when i get my own way) but was hoping to put a betta in there. I could take it back to the shop as they have messed up and sold it to me as a male. Its tummy is looking a bit rounded so i suspect she may be up the duff.

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Original poster

Marne · 21/04/2012 15:58

No black spot on her tummy though, so i may be wrong. She/he seems to have calmed down a little now but earlier she was going mad nipping and chasing.

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thisisyesterday · 21/04/2012 16:13

you might be able to tell by looking at the underneath fins. if it's a boy it will have a gonopodium!

thisisyesterday · 21/04/2012 16:15

good pic here if you scroll down a bit

Original poster

Marne · 21/04/2012 16:20

From the pictures it looks like a male. Maybe he's just the bully fish, he seems to be bullying one fish (my favorite fish) more than the others. Its only been in the tank a week so maybe sorting out the pecking order?

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