Behaviorally induced sex reversal of Metriaclima cf. livingstoni (cichlidae) from Lake Malawi

Sex reversal in the Lake Malawi cichlid, Metriaclima cf. livingstoni, was documented. A functional male in an aquarium was separated from three functional females by a divider of clear Plexiglas® sealed to tank walls. After the male was removed, one of the functional females developed male secondary sexual characteristics and fertilized eggs produced by the other females. In a second experiment, 6-7 functional females were placed in tanks without males. Again, sex change was noted with one of the former females fertilizing several broods.