I've been noticing breeding stars on my demekin George for months now, pretty much since I added my pearlscale Fred to the tank. I'd been assuming Fred was a female and George was interested.

Well....I just noticed breeding stars on Fred What's going on here?

They are both male.

They have "come of age".

They have "come into season".

A fish does not need a female to become "ready to breed". The time of year - length of light, heat of the water, foods you feed and age of the fish all have a lot to do with it.



Although the breeding stars never disappear,they can become almost invisible in times of the year when the fish are not ready for breeding. The old flashlight trick will expose them then - but for now - you got males!

Thanks Daryl! Well, good to know they both can keep their male names
I guess Fred is just getting round..not full of eggs as I was suspecting!