Need help sexing Cacatuoides

[jhcardinals]

Hi! I just was sold a pair of Apistogramma Cacatuoides (Double Red) and was wondering whether there's a male and a female. They'll probably be a bit less stressed soon and could display more color but I'd like to know as early as possible so I can make sure to be careful of aggression. Let me know if there's any more info that can help and I'd be glad to provide it. Also very open to tips, planning on feeding bbs/daphnia, have low-mid 6s pH, wish my GH was lower (~75) but my KH is damn near 0. Tank is at 78 degrees, some catappa leaves and driftwood inside. Plants are Java fern, anubias nana, thai moss, christmas moss, crypt affinis metallic red, lobelia cardinalis. Sand substrate, sponge filter. Appreciate any help, thanks!

 

[Mike Wise]

The problem with domestic red strains of A. cacatuoides is that the females develop many masculine traits (color, fins) that wild females do not. With that caveat, from what I see you probably have 1 of each sex.

 

[jhcardinals]

The problem with domestic red strains of A. cacatuoides is that the females develop many masculine traits (color, fins) that wild females do not. With that caveat, from what I see you probably have 1 of each sex.

Thanks, Mike! I read a bit about that, but most of my LFS in NYC didn't sell apistos at the moment. Have never had fish shipped from the west coast before, so I got them from another hobbyist. Will keep that in mind when I set up my next tank, appreciate your help.