What type of A. Agassizzi is this?

[YoungClayB]

Hello friends. I picked up a pair of A. Agassizzi at Petsmart of all places yesterday. They were labeled as "double red" but I am not so sure. Can anyone help me with a better ID? Here are a couple of pics of the male.

And here are a few of the female:

Also, I am seeing some aggression between the 2. The male is chasing and darting towards the female. Is this normal until the female decides she wants to spawn? Or should I be concerned? I thought about moving the male to another tank for a while and then reintroducing him. Thoughts?

I still can't believe that these guys came from Petsmart. $11.99 each

 

[Mike Wise]

Your fish are a domestic strain of red A. agassizii. They are sold under many different names, double red being one of them. Your pair are behaving normally. If a female is not ready to breed, the male will try to drive her out of his territory in hopes that a more responsive female will swim by. Depending on the size of the aquarium and how it is decorated, the male's territory can be the entire tank. If possible - and the tank is large enough for more specimens - I suggest getting another female. This will prevent the male from picking on the one female exclusively.

 

[YoungClayB]

Thanks Mike. I have them in a 10 gallon along with 4 Juli Cories and 3 Amano shrimp. Pretty tight quarters for another female don't you think?

Here is a picture of the tank for reference.

 

[gerald]

Your "female" looks like a subordinate male to me. Note the shape and color in the tail.

 

[Mike Wise]

I wouldn't want to add any more fish.

 

[Brown Water]

Your "female" looks like a subordinate male to me. Note the shape and color in the tail.

2nded

Double red male for sure in the first picture, identical to the one I have that was bought as a double red.

Nice find at petsmart... Never seen anything of any interest at petsmarts near me.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Your "female" looks like a subordinate male to me. Note the shape and color in the tail.

I'm really poor at ID and sex (but now Gerald has posted, so I feel a lot more confident), but my first thought was that it was another male.

cheers Darrel

 

[YoungClayB]

Thanks guys. If I moved the subordinate male to a different tank with other apistos but no other Agassizii, would he color up? Or is he forever a wuss?

 

[YoungClayB]

I think I found my answer. According to an article on fish channel.com, sneaker males can morph into vibrantly colored males if the dominant male is removed.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I think I found my answer. According to an article on fish channel.com, sneaker males can morph into vibrantly colored males if the dominant male is removed.

It will.

Cheers Darrel

 

[gerald]

On that note, when picking which offspring to keep for your next generation, DONT just save the fast-growing ones. I have found with macmasteri (the only Apisto I have kept going for multiple generations) and kribensis (25+ years breeding those) that slower-growing ones often end up having the best color in the long run.

quote="YoungClayB, post: 72410, member: 11309"]Thanks guys. If I moved the subordinate male to a different tank with other apistos but no other Agassizii, would he color up? Or is he forever a wuss?[/quote]