A.juruensis

[Nain]

I recently bought a very young pair of Apistogramma juruensis at an auction. At the time they were so young there was little discernable sex difference. Now after a bit of time it is evident that I do indeed have a pair. My question is about the male. He is beginning to grow a lyre shaped tail, however the filament leading from the caudal fin only comes off the top end. The bottom end of the fin is not even pointed, it is just squared off. Is this normal? How long will it take until the botton filament grows?

 

[Neil]

Nain,
Sorry, I neglected to welcome you properly, so...

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

It is not particularly unusual for the top of the caudal to begin its' initial development to a lyretail first. You should see the bottom portion start before too long. However, there are other possibilities that could be at play here. Sometimes he can rub it down a little on the substrate, if it is rough enough. A tankmate could have helped remove the beginning of it. Or, genetically, he might be predisposed to have an uneven lyretail.
Neil