Apistogramma baenschi female with red marking on caudal fin

[fart]

Hi

Is it normal for females of Apistogramma baenschi to have the same marking as the male on the caudal fin?

The marking is not as strong as in the male, but can clearly be seen.

One of my female baenschi, started to develop this marking this automn.
Pictuers of the female

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n521/rhd6/apistogramma/Apistogramma baenschi/IMG_3827edt.jpg
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n521/rhd6/apistogramma/Apistogramma baenschi/IMG_3823edt.jpg
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n521/rhd6/apistogramma/Apistogramma baenschi/IMG_3821edt.jpg
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n521/rhd6/apistogramma/Apistogramma baenschi/IMG_3739edt.jpg


With regards
RHD

 

[Mike Wise]

I don't think I have ever seen a fish or photo with much orange on the caudal edge. It is possible that your 'female' is actually a sneaker male ... or that the female is old and developing masculine traits ... or that you feed your fish a lot of color enhancing foods that enhance the red on the fish. How old/large is this fish?

 

[JasonC]

Out of curiosity, what are some of the markers that you would look for on this species in particular to help distinguish a female from a sneaker male? I know in my inexperience, I looked at that first image, and it screamed male to me... except for the black leading edge on the pelvic fins which I thought was a strong marker for a female?

 

[gerald]

hmmm ... that does look like a sexually confused fish. fart, has this "female" ever laid eggs? If not, is there a dominant male in the tank? Might be a male "trying" not to look like a male, to avoid getting beat up. Or, an old female like Mike suggested. I have had female macmasteri (usually 4+ yrs old) get more red and longer fin extensions as they get old, I assume due to declining estrogen.

 

[fart]

Thank you guys for the help.

The fish is abit over 4 cm long, i bought it with another female desember 2010 as Wild caught Apistogramma baenschi, I had a male that just had lost its female.
This should be a picture of that same fish 2-3 weeks after i bought it.

gerald: I am not sure if this "female" ever laid any eggs, they live in a densely planted thank, with some other fish.

This is my males caudal fin

And one more off the "female"

 

[wethumbs]

I had a 3+ years old WC Pelvicachromis taeniatus "Wouri" female that also exhibit male tail pattern when so gotten older. Normally their caudal fin is of clear to gold coloration. I conditioned her for spawning and she was still able to breed. Also her overall coloration was darker as well.

 

[Mike Wise]

On A. baenschi, the females typically show more prominent vertical bars, more black on the ventral fins, broader cheek patch, shorter & more rounded tip on the dorsal fin - and display their belly to the males in the tank.