Telling male from female discus

[maxpayne40]

Just out of curiosity a LFS person told me you can tell the difference between male and female disucs by a 'bump' on thier head. They were telling me a male has a 'zig zag' bump on the top of the head whereas the female has a straight line with no bump?. Is this correct or another old wives tale.

[Chillinfish]

Both of my males have the hump, but one of my females has a small one as well. On a few of the discus, the males have slightly longer fins all around, and they are larger than females. Watch their attitude as well...its usually a sign.

[Old Dave]

You want to know how to tell the difference?

Just ask them!
They don't have any doubt! :twisted: :twisted:

[swampy1972]

Sorry mate, but your LFS is full of s**t.. For starters, if you look at a good quality Discus their head has a uniform curvature - no "bump". If it does, then it's a poor quality fish so best avoided.

Experienced keepers have their ways of telling such as fin shape and length + behaviour, but the only TRUE way is to have them vent sexed by a vet or if you're lucky enough to see them spawning.

[lpiasente]

Put up a pic and lets all have a guess.