How to determine sex in cardinals?

disc1 · 02/25/2012, 03:26 PM

Would anyone like to share some info on how to determine the sex of cardinals? That is, if it's even possible to tell from looking. Is it different for PJ's and Banggai?

csmfish · 02/25/2012, 03:30 PM

I would offer them dinner and a movie and see who comes running.

cloak · 02/25/2012, 03:33 PM

Here's an excerpt from an article I found reguarding banggaii cardinals. HTH.

Sexing Banggais

This is the most asked question I receive, and the one question I cannot answer fully. Even though I have seen over 300 banggaiԳ I am only 50/50 on juvenile animals (animals under 1-1.5inches SVL). When the animals reach sexual maturity (12-14 months), then the jawline takes on a characteristic structure, particularly the male which gets squared off. The second dorsal fin is an excellent characteristic, as the males second dorsal extends past the caudal peduncle, however this flowing fin is often nipped off by other fish. The most accurate sexing method: My best method of sexing banggaiճ is using my establish male [the original male banggai from the article]. I introduce another banggai into his tank and within 10 mins he either is trying to kill him (male) or trying to mate with it (female)...HE IS 100% ACCURATE!!! I have sexed many friends banggai this way. Alternatively you can buy 4 or 5 banggais allow then to reach sexual maturity and they will pair off, and please, please, return the unpaired banggais.

zigzag1 · 02/25/2012, 05:32 PM

FWIW my male is larger than my female.. Though I'm not sure it's always the case. I was able to identify my male as he's the one that stops eating for several weeks when holding the eggs/babies.

Psirex · 02/25/2012, 06:05 PM

I thought the Vatican outlawed that for them...?

Palting · 02/25/2012, 06:34 PM

I'll have to look for the article, but for PJ's, look for an extension on the doral fin, sort of like a trailing antenae almost. Kinda hard to see on juveniles, though, so I ended up with 3 males!! LOL!!

disc1 · 02/25/2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

Kinda hard to see on juveniles, though, so I ended up with 3 males!! LOL!!

That's kinda what I think happened to me.

Misled · 02/25/2012, 07:20 PM

So here's what I've figured out. It normally shows up about two years or so old.

Female

Male

The end of the dorsal on the male elongates and turns blue. The female comes to a point and doesn't flair out.

SushiGirl · 02/25/2012, 08:16 PM

Anyone know anything about differences in Orbic cardinals? The only thing I found is that you can't tell unless you have a male holding eggs. I only have one now, so I'd love to know.

Mr. Demeanor · 02/25/2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmfish

I would offer them dinner and a movie and see who comes running.

I was going to say just drop a credit card in the tank.

csmfish · 02/25/2012, 08:32 PM

No no no, you cant drop it in the tank, they will take it and run. You have to hold it in your hand and make them come to you to get it!

Misled · 02/25/2012, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SushiGirl

Anyone know anything about differences in Orbic cardinals?

One of the other things I picked up you can look for is the male is supposed to have a rounder lower jaw, the females kind of flatter. I'm just guessing it's to carry the eggs and larval stages. I know the Pajamas are posed to release the fry in a somewhat larval stage, I don't know about the Orbics though. Also, I don't know when it begins to show. It does a little in mine, but the pic doesn't show it well.

thor109 · 02/25/2012, 09:07 PM

If you want a pair you have 2 choices by a mated pair or buy 6 cardinals at once and let them work it out, but sometimes you will still be left with one.

Misled · 02/25/2012, 09:11 PM

I bought four of different sizes from the same shipment. It took right around three and a half years to sort it out.

SushiGirl · 02/25/2012, 09:50 PM

I can't really tell on my Orbic, no other cardinal anymore to compare it with. I suspect it's a female, even though I call everything in my tank "he" LOL.

02/25/2012, 03:26 PM	#1
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	How to determine sex in cardinals? Would anyone like to share some info on how to determine the sex of cardinals? That is, if it's even possible to tell from looking. Is it different for PJ's and Banggai? __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

02/25/2012, 05:32 PM	#4
zigzag1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 1,276	FWIW my male is larger than my female.. Though I'm not sure it's always the case. I was able to identify my male as he's the one that stops eating for several weeks when holding the eggs/babies. __________________ :beer: Mixed Reef, started 10/2004: 6' BB 125g DT, 100lbs LR, 40g sump, Dual Ehiem 1000 returns, Eshopps dual overflow, JBJ ATO, Vertex IN-180, PM Ca reactor, 250w MH w/VHO Actinic, AC3 w/Aquasurf, Tunze 6105 pair & 40B frag tank 8 Fish, 20+ corals, shrimp, snails, worms, bugs, etc.

02/25/2012, 06:05 PM	#5
Psirex Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 1,934	I thought the Vatican outlawed that for them...? __________________ SALINITY NOW....

02/25/2012, 06:34 PM	#6
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	I'll have to look for the article, but for PJ's, look for an extension on the doral fin, sort of like a trailing antenae almost. Kinda hard to see on juveniles, though, so I ended up with 3 males!! LOL!! __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

02/25/2012, 07:20 PM	#8
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	So here's what I've figured out. It normally shows up about two years or so old. Female Male The end of the dorsal on the male elongates and turns blue. The female comes to a point and doesn't flair out. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

02/25/2012, 03:30 PM	#2
csmfish Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: VA Posts: 1,055	I would offer them dinner and a movie and see who comes running.

02/25/2012, 03:33 PM	#3
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Here's an excerpt from an article I found reguarding banggaii cardinals. HTH. Sexing Banggais This is the most asked question I receive, and the one question I cannot answer fully. Even though I have seen over 300 banggaiԳ I am only 50/50 on juvenile animals (animals under 1-1.5inches SVL). When the animals reach sexual maturity (12-14 months), then the jawline takes on a characteristic structure, particularly the male which gets squared off. The second dorsal fin is an excellent characteristic, as the males second dorsal extends past the caudal peduncle, however this flowing fin is often nipped off by other fish. The most accurate sexing method: My best method of sexing banggaiճ is using my establish male [the original male banggai from the article]. I introduce another banggai into his tank and within 10 mins he either is trying to kill him (male) or trying to mate with it (female)...HE IS 100% ACCURATE!!! I have sexed many friends banggai this way. Alternatively you can buy 4 or 5 banggais allow then to reach sexual maturity and they will pair off, and please, please, return the unpaired banggais.

02/25/2012, 08:16 PM	#9
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	Anyone know anything about differences in Orbic cardinals? The only thing I found is that you can't tell unless you have a male holding eggs. I only have one now, so I'd love to know. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

02/25/2012, 08:32 PM	#11
csmfish Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: VA Posts: 1,055	No no no, you cant drop it in the tank, they will take it and run. You have to hold it in your hand and make them come to you to get it!

02/25/2012, 09:07 PM	#13
thor109 Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Plainfield, Indiana Posts: 822	If you want a pair you have 2 choices by a mated pair or buy 6 cardinals at once and let them work it out, but sometimes you will still be left with one.

02/25/2012, 09:11 PM	#14
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	I bought four of different sizes from the same shipment. It took right around three and a half years to sort it out. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

02/25/2012, 09:50 PM	#15
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	I can't really tell on my Orbic, no other cardinal anymore to compare it with. I suspect it's a female, even though I call everything in my tank "he" LOL. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank