ID and sexing A. Viejita

[jenniferfalek]

Hello everyone,

A long time ago i bought this pair, with the name Apistogramma Viejita.
I've asked you before if this is the Viejita and if i had a male and female.
At that moment i was told to have 2 males, but i guess my female wasn't in such a good condition, and now is. So i still think i do have a pair, and i would like to know if you could confirm this.
Also i'd like to know if i really have the Viejita. I hope to hear from you.


The photo's i showed you before (like 3/4 months ago.
Female

Male

The photos taken a few days ago
Female

Male

Together

The male looks a bit thin, but that was because he had worms. Now he is healty again.


Thanks.

 

[Mike Wise]

Well, I would say that you have a nice pair of A. macmasteri, not A. viejita. A. viejita males have an oval caudal fin, among other distinguishing features

 

[jenniferfalek]

Well, I would say that you have a nice pair of A. macmasteri, not A. viejita. A. viejita males have an oval caudal fin, among other distinguishing features

Thanks

Just one more question, what do you mean with oval caudal fin? I cant see the difference. Could you show it to me with photos maybe?

 

[Mike Wise]

Apistos with oval fins have a curved posterior margin. They can be horizontally oval, like female A. agassizii, or vertically oval, like A. commbrae & A. viejita. Your A. macmasteri male shows a squared off or truncate caudal fin. I expect that as the male matures, he will develop short points at the top and bottom of the fin. True A. viejita never show such extensions. 99.9% of all A. viejita sold commercially are actually A. macmasteri.

 

[jenniferfalek]

Thanks I understand.

By the way, this is how my apisto female looked yesterday I hope they'll survive.

 

[Mike Wise]

Wonderful! Congratulations.

 

[bigbird]

well done and hats off ...keep it up..cheers jk

 

[jenniferfalek]

Thank you!

Just one more question, she again has layed eggs, but she still takes care of her fry too. Is that normal? So quickly.

 

[Mike Wise]

It really depends on the size and decoration of the aquarium. Once the new fry become freeswimming (if not before) the female will try to drive the older fry away from her territory. If they can't get far enough away and/or can be seen, she will probably kill them. Now is the time to remove/separate the older fry from their mother. On some occasions, however, apisto females will allow 2 broods to mix if they aren't too different in size.