The Puffer Forum

Can anyone tell if my Pea puffer is male or female. I do not see eye lines or dark stripe on abdomen but (DP) seems skinny to be girl?

Body size has little to do with anything. No eye wrinkles means its either a juvenile male or a female, depending on how old it is.

He's about 1' from tip of tail to teeth...is that juvenile?

Its not the size so much as the age. Mine is only 1 inch and he's full grown. One of my others was closer to 1.5 inches when he was full grown.

How old before they show sex?

Mine started somewhere around six months after i got them.

Thank you Tina. Have a great weekend!

You too!

If I had to guess I would sale a young male. Its pretty yellow and the solid stripe down the side looks more like male markings IME.

Also, I might just be seeing things, but there looks to be a bit of a keel (ridge) there under the chin.. that's a male thing to display that...

Myaj wrote:If I had to guess I would sale a young male. Its pretty yellow and the solid stripe down the side looks more like male markings IME.

Also, I might just be seeing things, but there looks to be a bit of a keel (ridge) there under the chin.. that's a male thing to display that...

That was what I was thinking...but as I dont have much experience with dwarfs...I am glad some one else said it first

Male
Wrinkles around the eyes
line down the center of the belly from the chin.

Female
Generally bigger and plumper than the male.

thanks all. i thought he is a guy but no keel lines just a little dark color at the base of the anal fins. he's at my office and I walked in this morning to see the thermometer tape reading over 86'f. he looks good though. i unplugged the heater and took the cover off the tank and am slowly changing water...I hope no brain damage.