Sleeper Male Apistogramma Cacatuoides?

[valevelo]

I bought a pair of Apistogramma Cacatuoides back in October. One was clearly a male at the time, other one appeared to be a female being smaller and of a drab brown/grey colour. At various times since purchase the "female" has turned yellow. That fish has also excavated a hollow against a rock, and the pair have been seen together in the hollow.

However, since that the "female" has become very dominant towards the male, moving him away from the hollow. This has gone on past the expected time to see any fry, and the "female" has since started to change colour into more of orange/red fins. But there is black on the pectoral fins

Have I had 2 males all the time? I'm not concerned about breeding at the minute as the known male has a deformed mouth so there is no chance I would want to breed him, but it would be nice to know for tank management. ie do I get females in future, keep them together and not worry about fry provided aggression is ok etc.

Any help appreciated

Mystery fish

Bottom one today in it's new colours.

In its hollow and at various times since owning

 

[MacZ]

I'm a bit confused about the timeline of the pictures. They all show the same fish at different points in time, yes? And the first two are the most recent?

Then yes, two males. Further signs: Once the smaller one has reached more than 5cm it was clear it was a male. Also the behaviour would have been an indicator if it was m/f, in your tank layout a female would have been chased to death. Two males can coexist quite long without serious damage.

And I wouldn't breed with either male, not only has one a deformed mouth, both have deformed fins.

 

[valevelo]

I'm a bit confused about the timeline of the pictures. They all show the same fish at different points in time, yes? And the first two are the most recent?

Then yes, two males. Further signs: Once the smaller one has reached more than 5cm it was clear it was a male. Also the behaviour would have been an indicator if it was m/f, in your tank layout a female would have been chased to death. Two males can coexist quite long without serious damage.

And I wouldn't breed with either male, not only has one a deformed mouth, both have deformed fins.

Thanks. Yes, top two pictures were taken yesterday. The ones where the fish is yellow were about 6 weeks ago, except the bottom one which would have been in October.

No breeding makes it an easier situation then. Provided it stays as squabbling and not outright aggression they can stay together.

It was the pit excavating that surprised me as a two males

 

[MacZ]

It was the pit excavating that surprised me as a two males

Nah, many Apistogramma dig sleeping pits if they can't find a suitable spot.