Sexing Apistogramma sp. vielfleck

[raymond82]

Hi,
I have quite some vielfleck fry growing up, they must be around 5 months old now. Some of them look like males to me (I see some red color in the fins and the spotted mask on the face). However, when I look at the females I have they also show coloration in the fins. What is the best way to distinguish males from females in this species?

Thank you!

 

[Mike Wise]

I suggest that you look at the tips of the dorsal, anal, and ventral fins. Those with pointed tips will be males. Those with rounded/blunt tips (and deep black anterior spines on the ventrals) will be females (or juvenile males). At 5 months, they are just starting to sex out. Juvenile males will look much like mature females. Soon you will see some of the females courting males. Behavior like this is a good way to sex them. Until then, patience.

 

[raymond82]

Thank you Mike!

I had a close look at them now and I think some of them I can already sex. The deep black anterior spines are prominent on some of them, with respect to the tips of the fins I think I need a bit more practicing. When I look at the adults I do see the differences though so maybe indeed all it needs is a bit more patience. I also have to admit that I might not have given them the care the needed, at 5 months old the biggest fish are barely 2.5 cm long so they might be developing a bit slow.

It did make me have a close and proper look at my male and he's really an amazingly beautiful fish. In his ventral and anal fins he has the beautiful red, blue, and yellow pattern, I really think it's one of the most beautiful species I've seen.