[Flamingflowerz]

Just got the little one not too long ago. Is about 1.5 inches currently, and there were certainly lighter specimens in the same tank. But my friend, who has a couple of his own, is convinced that it is a female! I'd like to upgrade the aquarium size as they grow and get him/her a buddy, but don't want to end up with two males! Preferably a pair

I've attached a few pictures of it I'm not too familiar with this website, so please let me know if I messed up somehow!

 

[Sasami]

From what I remember, the females generally have orange on their bellies (and sometimes some orange speckling). Female cichlids in general usually have rounder bellies, too, but I don't know if you took those pictures after feeding or something.

The photos aren't close enough to get a good look at the fins but then again, I'm not too experienced with cichlids.

 

[Flamingflowerz]

It was a male.