Need help sexing my apisto cac. Orange flash

[Lhagamuchi]

Hello, I am new to cichlids have kept fw fish for several years but need some help with my brand new apistos. I know this has been discussed many times but it seems like I might have two males or two females. Unsure which. One is larger, more orange and more aggressive (constant chasing and tail slapping). The other has a yellow tinge and more rounded back fin but similar otherwise. She does not seem too bothered by the other one, just swims away and has not hidden at all.

first photo is supposed male on left. Second is supposed female. Third is supposed male again.

thanks!

 

[Mike Wise]

I would say that you have one of each sex, but domestic color strains can be hard to sex 100%.

 

[Lhagamuchi]

Thank you so much for the response Mike! Yes these are domestic and local bred - they are actually so close to each other in coloration even the fish shop was unsure. I didn’t see them easing up on the chasing and displaying so I was wondering if they’re the same gender or maybe I got a sneaker male.

 

[Eddy. E.]

Why do you use a aerator in your tank? Do you have an Oxygen problem?

 

[MacZ]

Why do you use a aerator in your tank? Do you have an Oxygen problem?

Outside Europe sponge filters (Lufthebefilter) are the norm, Eddy.

 

[anewbie]

Outside Europe sponge filters (Lufthebefilter) are the norm, Eddy.

I wonder why they are not the norm in europe. Sponge filters seem like the best sort of filter 'cept for taking up space - but even then they provide places where fishes can hide. I usually put a stone under mine so they can hide behind it or under it.

 

[Eddy. E.]

I wonder why they are not the norm in europe. Sponge filters seem like the best sort of filter 'cept for taking up space - but even then they provide places where fishes can hide. I usually put a stone under mine so they can hide behind it or under it.

I am sorry. I was just wondering and overlooked the sponge filter.

 

[MacZ]

I wonder why they are not the norm in europe. Sponge filters seem like the best sort of filter 'cept for taking up space - but even then they provide places where fishes can hide. I usually put a stone under mine so they can hide behind it or under it.

Nobody really knows. And I don't even have a good guess. I have to admit though, these things are such an eyesore in a homeaquarium. Mattenfilters have always been much more popular here, which hide the airline and bubbles and just give you a black or blue background. And much more filter surface.

 

[anewbie]

Nobody really knows. And I don't even have a good guess. I have to admit though, these things are such an eyesore in a homeaquarium. Mattenfilters have always been much more popular here, which hide the airline and bubbles and just give you a black or blue background. And much more filter surface.

Yea it is a mix bag; in my aquariums the matten filters are nice but a bit of a pain to glue in the supports; on the other hand in most of my aquariums the sponge filters are so over grown with plants you can't even see them. I guess with black water tank you can put them behind hardscape. I guess over all a matten filter (which is just a giant sponge) is well i don't really know I mean in the 29s i like how they 'look' but they do cause their fair share of problems i don't have with the sponge filters (mine has 'jet stream' and small fishes will sometime swim behind them and get trapped - i put screening inside them to prevent it but they find unique ways to abuse that

 

[MacZ]

I haven't used mattenfilters in quite a while, as most people over here I have a canister filter running. Takes the least space in the tank.

 

[Mazan]

Never tried a matten filter, I have canister filters for the larger tanks and top filters (which basically act the same way) for the two smaller ones (though I would prefer canisters on these ideally). I have used sponge filters in a small fry/quarantine tank and use small sponges as pre filters on the filter intakes of the two smaller tanks, these can then be used to set up a fry/quarantine/hospital tank as and when necessary. They are mostly hidden by plants, wood etc.

 

[anewbie]

Never tried a matten filter, I have canister filters for the larger tanks and top filters (which basically act the same way) for the two smaller ones (though I would prefer canisters on these ideally). I have used sponge filters in a small fry/quarantine tank and use small sponges as pre filters on the filter intakes of the two smaller tanks, these can then be used to set up a fry/quarantine/hospital tank as and when necessary. They are mostly hidden by plants, wood etc.

Here is a picture of one of my aquariums with both sponge filter and matten filter; it is one i frequently post so you'/ve seen it before. The matten filter is opposite side of the angels and is sort of visible.