fuzzy dwarf lionfish gender identification

I've been reading that on the dwarf fuzzy lionfish males have 6-10 bands on their pectoral fins and that females have six or less.

Well after having one on hold for a week I finally was able to bring it home. It has six bands. What is it?

Is it possible it is too early to determine the sex of the lionfish?

Here is a pic just in case I'm counting bands that shouldn't be counted, not all of them are solid.


Thanks everyone

 

That's to small, my friend. If that were full grown, it would have the appearance of a female, but that looks like a juvi. How big is it?

There's other things to look at besides bands on the pectorals. Head size and length of fins also come into play, mixed with a little bit of gut feeling.

We are having illustrations drawn up to show the differences. I'll let you know when they are done.

 

Thank you! That will be a huge help. Yeah it's still really young. My avatars is of the lionfish and it's barely as big as the gopro camera we put in the tank.

 

That's an awesome fish.

 

Pretty fish...it really has nice markings. As for determining its sex...what Renee said.

 

Thank you