Masculine female

[Hellfishguy]

My female A. cf. ortegai's coloration has become more vivid recently, almost approaching that of the male's. I've had them for almost a year, and they've bred for me, but not for quite some time. Are they past their prime?

 

[Apistoguy52]

Interesting. Maybe she decided it was time to be a he. Would be super interesting to see what happens if you introduced/forced a juvie female with the old female

 

[Apistomaster]

I agree it is interesting. One year old is getting up there in breeding age. 18 months is about as old as I usually lose hope of breeding Apistogramma. As I've mentioned before I consider Apistogramma to be borderline annual Cichlids.
This acquisition of more masculine coloration by a proven female is odd. I know sex changes are common among many reef fish but not so much among neotropical Cichlids. Perhaps A. cf. ortegai have been in the hobby long enough to feel the lash of selective breeding for increased color among the females. I've never personally kept them so I'm just speculating

 

[Hellfishguy]

Here’s a photo of the same female taken last December. Her body form is still recognizably female, only her color has deepened.

 

[Apistomaster]

It is a pretty color form.