Apistogramma macmasteri male or female?

[qverbeeck]

Bought tis juvinile apistgramma macmasteri. Now im not sure if i bought a female or a sleeper male. The shape of the dorsal and the caudal fin indicate to me that its a female but the color looks like that of a male? Some help would be grately appreciated.

 

[MacZ]

Due to linebreeding and massproduction the females of domestic breeds of A. macmasteri and A. cacatuoides (the majority of the fish of these species in the trade) have come to show more male attributes like more colour in the fins or on the body than wild (type) specimens. In domestic A. macmasteri that also includes the size, which would have been a great marker otherwise. But I've seen 7cm female A. macmasteri.

All that said: From this picture a sure sexing isn't possible. I would wait until the situation changes. If the fish gets the typical yellow breeding dress at one point you will have your answer. If not and it keeps being chased and harrassed by a definitely sexed male, remove the fish after 2-3 weeks or it will very likely fall ill and die before you know what it is. Bad signs: Permanent stress colouration (stripes), weight loss, often squeezed into a corner behind wood or e.g. a filter intake. If it sticks to an upper corner remove the fish immediately.