Is this true???

[dnorton1978]

When I purchased 2 tank raised pers a couple months ago the LFS owner stated that they are not male and female when young. They become male and female as they grow, and if you have 2 together 1 normally becomes male and the other female.

With that being said my 2 tank raised percs have been fighting quite a bit today. Are they doing the nasty?? (Doubt it, just sounds funny) Or are they becoming male and female or what????

 

[Vasces]

This is 100% true. If I remember right, they both start out male and they fight for dominance, whoever is the winner turns female. She will grow to about twice the size of the male. This is also the case if you keep larger groups, there will always be 1 female and the rest males.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Anonymous]

Yep, Yep!

 

[dnorton1978]

Very interesting.. Actually that just sounds plane wierd. Okay then may the best man or woman win. Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

In a group the larger will become female and the next in line male. Maybe a couple more. The rest are nothing until it's time to step up to the plate. Female dies, the male will be female and the next in line move up. Kinda like seniority.

Males can change to females. Females can't change back to males.

 

[dnorton1978]

Thanks for all the interesting facts guys, and gals..

 

[danmhippo]

Yep, they are nuetral until the largest becomes female, and second largest becomes male.

When the female died, the original second largest become female, and the pecking order (should this be breeding order?) moves up.

 

[shavo]

what if you had two males that became males and put them in the same tank after the fact? would one become a female after already being a male? I never heard of this, sounds crazy!!

 

[Anonymous]

They will fight to see who will be the female. The problem is, you need one to be much bigger than the other already so the smaller will concede defeat before getting killed. If they are already adults, and the same size, they'll probably fight till it ends badly for one.

Ocellaris and percuals probably won't fight to the death cause they are pretty mellow clowns. Maroons or tomatoes though probably will.

 

[Anonymous]

what if you had two males that became males and put them in the same tank after the fact? would one become a female after already being a male? I never heard of this, sounds crazy!!

Males can always convert to female. Once female, they can't convert back to male.

 

[Anonymous]

Males can always convert to female. Once female, they can't convert back to male.

A snip here and a snip there and Bob's your auntie!
(Sorry, couldnt resist that..... )

 

[dnorton1978]

Males can always convert to female. Once female, they can't convert back to male.

A snip here and a snip there and Bob's your auntie!
(Sorry, couldnt resist that..... )

LOL good one... :lol: