Sexing Apistogramma Viejita

[discusathome]

Helo,
Some months ago I bought this “couple” of wild apistogramma veijita.
Can you tell me if they are male and female ?
Thank you

 

[Frank Hättich]

It's not A. viejita but rather A. macmasteri. If they are in fact wild (which I have doubts about) it's both males.

 

[discusathome]

It's not A. viejita but rather A. macmasteri. If they are in fact wild (which I have doubts about) it's both males.

ok, thank you.
I will talk with the seller....

 

[MacZ]

If they are in fact wild (which I have doubts about) it's both males.

I agree and I am certain they are not wild caught.

 

[discusathome]

I agree and I am certain they are not wild caught.

Which are the main difference between wilds and f-something ?

 

[MidasRedd]

It's not A. viejita but rather A. macmasteri. If they are in fact wild (which I have doubts about) it's both males.

Why is the the lighter one male as well? What are the characteristics of the male Vs female?

 

[Frank Hättich]

Why is the the lighter one male as well? What are the characteristics of the male Vs female?

I said that both are males if they are wild! In wild forms of macmasteri females don't show any or at least not as much red coloration on the head and the body.

 

[discusathome]

I said that both are males if they are wild! In wild forms of macmasteri females don't show any or at least not as much red coloration on the head and the body.

So if they are not wild, it might be a couple ?

 

[MacZ]

Which are the main difference between wilds and f-something ?

In this case it's not F-something. We're talking domestic colour breed.
And that's the thing. The colours in the obvious male are very defined and strong. The other fish has a pattern I'd definitely connect just to domestic fish.

Here you see the wild form: Compare carefully.

Welcome to Toms Homepage

And here (one of) the domestic form(s):

Welcome to Toms Homepage

Although there are more domestic forms:
One which has been bred to distinguished whitish colouration (those are often sold as A. viejita)

Villavicencio-Buntbarsch, Apistogramma macmasteri, paarweise, kaufen

Villavicencio-Buntbarsch, Apistogramma macmasteri. Ein sehr friedlicher und durchaus auch für das Gesellschaftsaquarium geeigner Fisch. Gleich hier bestellen.

www.interaquaristik.de

And the colour enhanced almost fully red-orange one:

Villavicencio-Zwergbuntbarsch "Red Mask", Apistogramma macmasteri Red Mask, paarweise, kaufen

Villavicencio-Zwergbuntbarsch "Red Mask", Apistogramma macmasteri Red Mask, pflegeleichter Apistogramma für Aquarien, braucht Verstecke und Unterschlüpfe

www.interaquaristik.de

 

[MidasRedd]

So are both of these fish male?

 

[discusathome]

In this case it's not F-something. We're talking domestic colour breed.
And that's the thing. The colours in the obvious male are very defined and strong. The other fish has a pattern I'd definitely connect just to domestic fish.

Here you see the wild form: Compare carefully.

Welcome to Toms Homepage

And here (one of) the domestic form(s):

Welcome to Toms Homepage

Although there are more domestic forms:
One which has been bred to distinguished whitish colouration (those are often sold as A. viejita)

Villavicencio-Buntbarsch, Apistogramma macmasteri, paarweise, kaufen

Villavicencio-Buntbarsch, Apistogramma macmasteri. Ein sehr friedlicher und durchaus auch für das Gesellschaftsaquarium geeigner Fisch. Gleich hier bestellen.

www.interaquaristik.de

And the colour enhanced almost fully red-orange one:

Villavicencio-Zwergbuntbarsch "Red Mask", Apistogramma macmasteri Red Mask, paarweise, kaufen

Villavicencio-Zwergbuntbarsch "Red Mask", Apistogramma macmasteri Red Mask, pflegeleichter Apistogramma für Aquarien, braucht Verstecke und Unterschlüpfe

www.interaquaristik.de

Thank you very much for the information, now it's clear.
Besides the origin of them, are they a couple ?

 

[MacZ]

So are both of these fish male?
View attachment 13223

You posted those in another thread already and got an answer there, please stick to your topic.

Thank you very much for the information, now it's clear.
Besides the origin of them, are they a couple ?

You're welcome.
You have one sure male, the other fish... Either a young male or a female. I can't tell, sorry.

 

[discusathome]

You posted those in another thread already and got an answer there, please stick to your topic.


You're welcome.
You have one sure male, the other fish... Either a young male or a female. I can't tell, sorry.

Ok, I will give them time and then we will see what happens...
Thank you once again

 

[anewbie]

It is interesting one has a hump and the other does not - i had not observed humps before in pictures of mac but maybe i never looked closely as they are not on my radar.

 

[MacZ]

It is interesting one has a hump and the other does not - i had not observed humps before in pictures of mac but maybe i never looked closely as they are not on my radar.

Don't confuse the users. The picture with the one with the hump is not from the OP.
And the hump is a sign of fast growth and fattening food.

 

[anewbie]

Don't confuse the users. The picture with the one with the hump is not from the OP.
And the hump is a sign of fast growth and fattening food.

Ok I guess that explains why i've not seen a hump before in the species.

 

[Mike Wise]

The nuchal hump commonly occurs on many cichlids (including apisto) with age and overfeeding.

 

[anewbie]

The nuchal hump commonly occurs on many cichlids (including apisto) with age and overfeeding.

Isn't it common on some of the Laetacara species without overfeeding?

 

[MacZ]

Age AND/OR overfeeding. There are many that develop it over time anyway, but also some that only develop it when chronically overfed.
Apistos are usually of the latter group. As are Discus.
Many central american genera like Amatitlania only develop it with age, not showing it until very mature. Also South American species like Pterophyllum and Mesonauta develop them in older age.
And then african cichlids like many Steatocranus from the Congo or Cyphotilapia from Lake Tanganjika get the hump anyway.