New setup for breeding

[DjD]

I recently added apistogrammas "Viejita” red neck that are likely macmasterii. Doesn’t really matter for my question.
I believe, based on the behaviour of the dominant male and his courting/chasing, that I have 2 males and 3 females in a 60 gallon breeder 48x18x16 inches (120x45x40cm). The dominant male seems to patrol the entire tank, each of the 3 females claimed a zone (left, center or right) of the tank they don’t really leave. The second male gets chased by the dominant male wherever he goes. It’s only been a week, should I let them settle this or should I remove the submissive one? How long should it take to settle territories? Two of the females (left and right, but not yet center) hang out with the dominant male and the one on the right also chases the submissive male. Pictures of the tank, female on the left, possibly female? center (not convinced with this one), female right, dominant male and submissive male, in order of the pictures . Thanks for any input…

 

[MacZ]

apistogrammas "Viejita” red neck that are likely macmasterii.

They are definitely A. macmasteri. Usually you see "Viejita I" or "Viejita II" and "Red Neck" as trade names in stores. So they mixed those up. And to be honest... they look like standard "mutt"-A. macmasteri, neither looking like the colourful strains nor like wild type fish.

I believe, based on the behaviour of the dominant male and his courting/chasing, that I have 2 males and 3 females in a 60 gallon breeder 48x18x16 inches (120x45x40cm). The dominant male seems to patrol the entire tank, each of the 3 females claimed a zone (left, center or right) of the tank they don’t really leave. The second male gets chased by the dominant male wherever he goes. It’s only been a week, should I let them settle this or should I remove the submissive one? How long should it take to settle territories?

The structure doesn't allow for more than one territory. The lines of sight are not broken sufficiently. You have 2 options now. Either remove the second male and move him to another tank as a reserve in case the dominant male burns out. Or remove both males, get 1 or two more males, restructure the tank and add them all. That way they keep each other in check. But that's also risky business, as the tank is in my opinion too small for a colony.

And even in case you decide to go with a one-male-harem-option more structure will be necessary as a precaution. I see an approximation of three possible territories. Reinforce the borders with a good piece of driftwood each. They should reach from front to back glass and completely break the line of sight in the 10-15cm above the sand. If you can look through under it, it's not going to work.

Concerning the sexing... I think you have two definite females and males each. The 5th... I'm on the fence.