Sexing A. Hongsloi

[ladymaverick]

A part of my tank stocking yesterday, I bought a "pair" of A. hongsloi. They were chosen after watching the tank for about 10 minutes, during which these two fish seemed perfectly happy in each others' company, always swimming together and looking like a pair. One was more pronounced in its colourings and markings than the other, so I was happy this was a male/female pair.

Now they've been in the tank for 24 hours, they're still happy together, going off for a wee swim on their own but always coming back together and not showing any signs of stress but there now seems to be far less difference in the intensity of their colours, both being fairly bright.

I've had a hunt around online but can't find much info on the sexual dimorphism of this species. Given their behaviour, are these likely to be a true m/f pair? What are the differences in appearance?

I'm not fussed about getting them to breed but I do want to ensure a peaceful tank.

Thanks.

 

[thereverendturtle]

Can you post photos? If not, the males have larger fins and lots more color. The females are drab in comparison. Here's a link to a page, if you look at the photos, the third one shows a pair with the female in the background.
http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/apistogramma-hongsloi/

 

[ladymaverick]

The smaller one with the less pronounced stripe was far less colourful yesterday. It also seems to have a slightly shorter anal fin, coming about halfway along the tail, rather than almost the full length as seem in the other, larger fish.

 

[ladymaverick]

Can you post photos? If not, the males have larger fins and lots more color. The females are drab in comparison. Here's a link to a page, if you look at the photos, the third one shows a pair with the female in the background.
http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/apistogramma-hongsloi/

Thanks, that's actually really helpful. Seriouslyfish has become one of my first stops for info but I didn't spot there were more photos. That one shows a female with red, something I hadn't seen on any other photos.

It's reassuring me that it may be a pair but I would welcome opinions from any more knowledgeable others out there.

 

[Essjay]

This is going to sound a bit strange, but look closely at the rays on the dorsal fin, not just the first few but all of them. Females' rays are sort of flat on top compared to males.

 

[thereverendturtle]

Although the females may have some color, it looks to me that you have two males. One just younger than the other. Most apistos will get along with each other outside of when they are breeding. So I would keep an eye on them and check back at the store for one with yellow ventral fins. Not always fool proof, but most females do have them to some degree.

 

[ladymaverick]

Great, thanks.

I'll see how they go. I'd be loathe to introduce a female and risk upsetting the balance if they're getting along.

 

[thereverendturtle]

If your tank is 36" or so in length, you could add 2-4 females and the males would just split the tank when breeding. Very rarely are they aggressive enough to cause any real damage to one another.

 

[ladymaverick]

Ooh...it's 40"...will think on that.