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Is this a female Agassizii DR?

Jazzyper

New Member
Messages
9
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Hello
Could someone please help me figure out if this is a male or female? I bought it as a pair and was told it should be a female (first apistos that I’ve had so I’m not that great at sexing them). I’d say it’s about 3/4 of the size of the definite male, but I’ve struggled to find any guides on how to sex them well, and have very little experience with them, so would love for someone more knowledgeable to confirm with me :)

Thanks very much
 

Jordan

Member
Messages
33
Location
Tauranga New Zealand
Based off the rays being rounded and not sharp I would say female, although I do have a female Cacatuoides with pointed rays so it doesn’t always run true, I havnt kept Agassizii but I’m in the process of trying to get my hands on a pair for a Rio Nanay Biotope, how does the male act towards this one?
 

Jazzyper

New Member
Messages
9
My guess is that it is a small male. Females rarely show much blue spangling on the face nor red tips on the dorsal spines.

Okay, that’s sort of what i was worrying about haha. The male is chasing this one around quite a bit now, and they’ve both sort of coloured up quite a bit. Gonna try to get a few better pictures and I’ll reply again with them here.
This one is also hiding a lot.
Might have to bring it back to the shop and swap it out though I guess then.
 

Jazzyper

New Member
Messages
9
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Ok so I managed to get a few pictures, but they aren’t quite as good, since this one is constantly hiding more now. Here they are.

Thank you guys so much for your help :)))
 

Jazzyper

New Member
Messages
9
I ended up swapping this one out for another (hopefully female) fish, but now I’m kinda worried it may be a cheeky male again lol.
I’ve tried to find tips on sexing Agassizi, but I seriously can’t find any good guides or anything. From what I can tell it seems to have a sort of female looking tail shape, but the colouration appears to be kind of male looking.
Mike, what do you think of this one?

Also do you guys have any tips on distinguishing them?


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Jazzyper

New Member
Messages
9
Linus, rotala h ra, but I’ve been pretty slack on co2 and dosing so they are looking very average at the moment haha.
 

dw1305

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Messages
2,755
Location
Wiltshire UK
Hi all,
I ended up swapping this one out for another (hopefully female) fish, but now I’m kinda worried it may be a cheeky male again lol.
I’ve tried to find tips on sexing Agassizi, but I seriously can’t find any good guides or anything. From what I can tell it seems to have a sort of female looking tail shape, but the colouration appears to be kind of male looking.
I'm really poor at sexing and ID, but I'm pretty sure that one is also a male.

Have a look at Bob Wiltshire's Web site <"http://www.dwarfcichlid.com/Apistogramma_agassizii.php">.

cheers Darrel
 

Ade205

Active Member
Messages
172
Location
Swadlincote, England
I feel your pain lol! Gender Id in Apistos can be a very frustrating experience!

For me this fish is very confusing! Iridescent spots signify male, though I've females with a fair few, and also the extension of the black lateral band into the caudal suggests male, yet to me the Dorsal looks very rounded and female! My guess though would be male at this point. Hopefully Mike will be along soon to end this speculation!! How big is this fish?

Ade.
 

Mike Wise

Moderator
Staff member
5 Year Member
Messages
11,201
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
This one looks more like a female than the last one. The problem with domestic inbred strains is that females can take on male colors. See how your male behaves toward this fish. If it 'yellows up' you can be fairly certain it is a female.
 

Jazzyper

New Member
Messages
9
So after some observation, the male seems to be chasing the ‘female’ around quite a lot and it seems to be hiding a lot, spending lots of time in their coconut cave or behind plants. Occasionally they will both hang out together, most often in the evening. Mostly the male chases the ‘female’ after a bit though.
Also here are some more pics
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vpik001

Member
Messages
31
I have the same issue and similar look “female”. My thread is below your on the forum. I am waiting for Mike’s opinion.
 

Mike Wise

Moderator
Staff member
5 Year Member
Messages
11,201
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
I understand your and vpik001's problem. When I can't be sure of sex I always get at least 6 specimens of mixed sizes that don't look like males. I usually get females this way. I know many can't house or afford so many, but it sometimes is needed.
 

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