Apistogramma agassizii "double red" questions

[Gel]

Hello,

I have a pair of A. agassizzi "double red". They both appear to be female.

I just observed what appeared to be some courtship behaviour; fin flaring and tale waving by one specimen towards the other. Does this behavior occur between members of the same sex? Could I have a sleeper male? Could it be another type of behaviour such a dominance posturing?

I have noticed that one of the specimens does have black lines on the ventral fin, while the other does not. Other than that, to me, they both look like females; same markings, same yellow body colour.

Thank you,

 

[Mike Wise]

What you describe could be either courtship or aggression. Yes, females often show this behavior among themselves. A sleeper male is possible, but unlikely if it is the only male in the tank. Many female A. agassizii show little to no dark pigment on the ventral fins so this isn't always a good way to sex this species. Relative body size and the shape of the tips of the dorsal/anal fins are more reliable if the fish are mature and 2"/5cm or more in length.

 

[Gel]

Thank you.

I have not had them for too long; they were with a larger group of other specimens.

Yesterday, I noticed the smaller specimen (no ventral fin markings) turn darker and markings on the body almost appear or become more prominent as the larger specimen (who remained bright yellow with only the middle body line showing) fin flared and tail waved in front of it. Although the specimen (that almost changed colours) is smaller, I have noticed that the middle body line does extend farther and more prominently down the middle of the caudal fin. Not sure if any of this means anything but just wanted to share my further observations. I do know that specimens can change colour and markings depending on their stress level.

 

[Gel]

Further to my post above, not only does the middle body line extend further and more prominently down the middle of the caudal fin, the entire line across the body is more crisp and prominent.