Apisto ID & Agression

[onions]

Hello,

I have a male and a female apisto. I'm not sure what they are so an ID would be nice. I've included pics of the male and female. The female turns a shade of yellow sometimes but she is stressed.

I also have an issue. I have an ADA 60p tank. The male is constantly harassing the female. I'm not sure what to do
Should I bring him back or wait for the female to mature? What else could I do to lower the Agression. I've included a pic of my tank. Thanks any help is appreciated!

 

[Frank Hättich]

Your fish is A. sp. Steel-blue. As for the agression: you can try to put the male in another tank for some time, rescape this tank with the female and then maybe after some weeks put the male back into it. Also more hiding places like caves with entrances as small that only the female fits into them or a lot of leaf litter would be a good idea.
More generally your substrate is far from optimal for Apistos too. Fine rounded sand is the best choice because they can sift through it for food thereby cleaning their gills.

 

[Frank Hättich]

Btw if photo #2 is supposed to show the female then you have two males.

 

[onions]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

Is it a male even though it's much smaller, paler and turns yellow at times?

I think I'll bring the bully back to the store. I love the little guy and I don't have another tank.

 

[MacZ]

A. sp. "Steel Blue" is probably a hybrid (nobody really seems to know), so the sexing can be really a mess.

 

[Frank Hättich]

Is it a male even though it's much smaller, paler and turns yellow at times?

So far I haven't seen a Steel-blue female with that much blue and red coloration on the head and such a pronounced caudal pattern as your fish. So it would surprise me if it were a female. Can you please show a photo when it's turned yellow?

 

[onions]

So far I haven't seen a Steel-blue female with that much blue and red coloration on the head and such a pronounced caudal pattern as your fish. So it would surprise me if it were a female. Can you please show a photo when it's turned yellow?

I can't seem to get a good pic. He/she hides a lot. I did see the big one shake his little ass at the small one, not sure if that's a mating dance or what.

I'll just assume it's a male and take the big one back. Thanks for all the info.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Is it a male even though it's much smaller, paler and turns yellow at times?

Often only males are sold, no-one knows exactly why. I kept them for a while, the males are really aggressive. I did eventually find a female, but it all ended in tears.

cheers Darrel

 

[onions]

So far I haven't seen a Steel-blue female with that much blue and red coloration on the head and such a pronounced caudal pattern as your fish. So it would surprise me if it were a female. Can you please show a photo when it's turned yellow?

I can't seem to get a good pic. He/she hides a lot. I did see the big one shake his little ass at the small one, not sure if that's a mating dance or what.

I'll just assume it's a male and take the big one back. Thanks for al

 

[onions]

I brought back the big guy and now that the little guy isn't stressed and pale, I'm almost positive it's a male. A little shrimpy one. Thanks again.