One of the other things I learned today from the Flowerhorn guy is a fairly interesting method of sexing them. One that I'm assuming is applicable to most CA/SA Cichlids as well, since FH are made from them.

I haven't tried it myself yet, but anyway here ya go.

-You need to get the fish in your hands so the dorsal fin faces your palm.
-Get your thumb on the belly area near the vent.
-Gently press down going into the direction of the vent.
-Pressure should start from the plums out to the ventrals.

Males should squirt a clear liquid from the vent. It should apparently look like a squirt from a cheap kids water pistol.

Females will have a fluid discharge, but they don't spray like the males do.

At some point I'm going to try it on some of the Convicts that I know which are which to see if it works on them. I'm not up for fighting with the big boys yet.

Oh come on the big boys are easier.

Make sure you put your goggles on.

You should be able to tell from the vent itself. The males vent is smaller than the females. Never tried the squirt method...lol

For those that can't tell with the vent method I suppose? Dunno. I've never cared about sexing them. If the squirt method is accurate I can see it making it fairly easy with people who have a hard time with the vent method.