I think they're male?

[BreenV]

Hey all, just trying to figure out the sex of my two C. pyrrhogaster. Thanks

 

[Chinadog]

I'm certain the first one is male and pretty sure the second one is female, so you have a pair. If they are both the same race they should breed eventually.

 

[BreenV]

Well that's great news. I have had them together for over a year now with no sign of breeding or attempts at it either. Why might the be?

 

[Chinadog]

It could be a number of things, What kid of set up/temperature do they have? Maybe its not quite right for them, I can take a look if you post some pics.
Even though they have typical sasayama belly pattens, without knowing their exact origins they could still be different races. Were they bought from the same place at the same time? It could be that different C. pyrrhogaster races can't hybridise, but I'm not sure.
It could even be that they have bred and they have eaten their own eggs as they are laying them, that does happen sometimes! Did the male come into breeding condition at any point? They are normally a very easy species to breed, so maybe they have been settling in? Maybe they will naturally come into breeding condition in the autumn like mine do.

 

[BreenV]

It could be a number of things, What kid of set up/temperature do they have? Maybe its not quite right for them, I can take a look if you post some pics.
Even though they have typical sasayama belly pattens, without knowing their exact origins they could still be different races. Were they bought from the same place at the same time? It could be that different C. pyrrhogaster races can't hybridise, but I'm not sure.
It could even be that they have bred and they have eaten their own eggs as they are laying them, that does happen sometimes! Did the male come into breeding condition at any point? They are normally a very easy species to breed, so maybe they have been settling in? Maybe they will naturally come into breeding condition in the autumn like mine do.

They were bought from the same place: Backwater Reptiles, and I don't think I have ever seen the male with the blue-ish color on him ever. The tank they are in is a fully aquatic tank (10 gallons) but I don't have live plants in it, and it's a little on the higher end at the moment (as far as temperature) at around 72-74 F. I know that this is not ideal but I am in the process of building a new tank for them with live plants and a more controllable water temp setup (i.e. fans plus an air conditioner in the same room). Is there any kind of temp change necessary to help induce breeding or do they just kind of decide on their own?

 

[AuSu]

If you're building a new tank for them, I think even the change might do the trick! Well, it is just my experience so don't take it as a well known fact but with my pyrrhos, which had been in their previous homes for about five years, just the change to us and a strange environment (and possibly a little cooler?) made them start "dancing" and eventually breeding. Females that I got first, also started laying when arrived. Previous owners hadn't noticed any of this behaviour. Also, they had been housed with fish so I'd think now there isn't anything to stress them (at least other creatures).