Is this blue throat trigger a male or female?

[ID-Reefer]

Ive had this blue throat about for about 8 months. I had ordered a male And assumed that’s what it was but it has very little color - I see no yellow outline on the fins and the blue below the jaw is very faint. He/she is probably about 3.5”-4” long. Healthy and eats everything. If it is actually a female I’d consider trying to pair with a male.

hard to photograph as it is a shy fish. Thanks.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I’m in about your same boat. I have one where finally (finally!) the top fin and tail fin turned yellow; the bottom fin just started a touch of yellow now, and the throat has only the barest hint of blue. (Fortunately I have a second fish in the tank that has not turned colors at all— kind of a ‘control’ Blue Throat)(Female.)

From what I have been told, and as my experience and yours tends to show, 4” is about the minimum size needed to see the Male coloration. Time will tell. If I get a chance to post a photo, I will.

 

[JGT]

Looks like a female. When small, they are sometimes hard to differentiate. I have one of each and the male is very obvious.

 

[JGT]

My boy…

 

[JumboShrimp]

Beautiful!

 

[JGT]

I had the female first who was considerably bigger than him and when I first put him in she would periodically chase him around.
the tank. Over time she got used to him and pretty much leaves him alone. Every now and again, she will make a charge at him but he’s grown to where he’s almost as big as her now so he stands his ground and she backs off.

 

[lion king]

It's very tricky all the way up to about 4.5". I've seen a number of people end up with 2 males, and trouble. In the female the color on tail will be a deeper more saturated rust color, while males not fully displaying male colors, that tail color is usually more opaque.

 

[Sean Clark]

Good looking fish.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Pretty girl.

 

[JumboShrimp]

This is the one I assume is just starting to become a Male (?)

 

[JGT]

This is the one I assume is just starting to become a Male (?)

For sure. Got the yellow fins. The jaw is light blue but you can see it coming in.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Well then I’m set because the other one (I’ll try to get a photo) is definitely ‘not’ transitioning— so now I have a great pair!

 

[Flame2hawk]

Although not experienced by me, some have said that blue throats will eventually turn into one male (the dominant of the 2) and one female. Still not necessarily a pair as they have to then get along. According to some, The dominant male will eventually “force” the weaker one to be a female. As far yours, its probably too young yet but my guess is she is a female.

 

[JumboShrimp]

This is a still from a video— anyone ever see two Blue Throat Triggers do this elaborate minute long ‘entwined’ swirling dance all over the tank?

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

This is a still from a video— anyone ever see two Blue Throat Triggers do this elaborate minute long ‘entwined’ swirling dance all over the tank?

No but great capture. Mayb a prequel to the deed Da dee. Lol

 

[Sean Clark]

Is this within the TOS? Seams a bit risqué...

 

[JGT]

This is a still from a video— anyone ever see two Blue Throat Triggers do this elaborate minute long ‘entwined’ swirling dance all over the tank?

Yes, mine have done that as well. It’s supposedly a mating dance. Hasn’t led to any coitus yet though.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ive had this blue throat about for about 8 months. I had ordered a male And assumed that’s what it was but it has very little color - I see no yellow outline on the fins and the blue below the jaw is very faint. He/she is probably about 3.5”-4” long. Healthy and eats everything. If it is actually a female I’d consider trying to pair with a male.

hard to photograph as it is a shy fish. Thanks.

Girl. Male very colorful

 

[lion king]

As I’m sure you’re aware, 2 blue throats will eventually turn into one male (the dominant of the 2) and one female. Still not necessarily a pair as they have to then get along. The dominant male will eventually “force” the weaker one to be a female. As far yours, its probably too young yet but my quests pull be she is a female.

It does not work that way with with these, as with with wrasses. They are either born male or female. As a point of interest. I had a dominant female in a pair I had once and have seen many dominant females.

 

[Flame2hawk]

It does not work that way with with these, as with with wrasses. They are either born male or female. As a point of interest. I had a dominant female in a pair I had once and have seen many dominant females.

Although not experienced by me personally, have had others say this has happened. However, again not witnessed by me so have amended my comment. Thx