is this an apisto agassizii pair?

[Neil Nayyar.]

I recently purchased a pair of Apistogramma. I don't know if they are a male and female

 

[Happyfins]

looks like a pair of agasizzi to me.

 

[Mike Wise]

I agree, probably domestic Red strain?

 

[Neil Nayyar.]

thanks. they were showing some aggression towards each other and I just wanted to make sure that they were a pair.

 

[Mike Wise]

Technically, they are not a pair because A. agassizii do not bond. They do look like one of each sex, however. Just keep an eye on them. The male might want to breed now, but the female is not ready. This can lead to males trying to drive a non-receptive female out of his territory in hopes to find a more willing female.

 

[Neil Nayyar.]

Also, is it normal for the female to show aggression towards the male? She has been chasing him around the tank. I provided more leaves and sticks for him to hide under.

 

[MickeM]

Also, is it normal for the female to show aggression towards the male? She has been chasing him around the tank. I provided more leaves and sticks for him to hide under.

This is normal when the female is guarding eggs/fry.. ! .. He is "expected" to chase intruders away I guess..
For polygamic Apistos the male mostly focus on defense/taking care of the outer territory borders.
Every female then focus on her "personal" territory ... closest to the eggs/fry..
( Ap. agassizii is often categorized as a polygam Apisto )

My experience is that these behavior patterns may sometimes differ after/when kept in tanks for a longer time..(or if the Apistos have lived for several generations in our tanks../ or when kept in pairs instead of a group..? )
.. It seems like males may become more close/bound to their fry .. and maybe sometimes causing "new" situations to solve with the, often very hormonal/protective, female ??

I´ve even seen a borelli male totally taking over the role of females... chasing the egg-guarding female to a corner in the tank... away from their eggs layed/spawned under a Cryptocoryne leaf..
... This happened in a public tank lacking caves or leaves at the bottom!!!!
It did not end well.. He protected the eggs for a day or so..
..but when the eggs were about to hatch he did not seem to know what to do, so I then interpreted it as he abandoned the larvae..!! (?)

 

[dan56]

i think they look like a pair in the picture.good luck

 

[dan56]

i think they look like a male and female as far as a pair u need to keep and eye on them.