Apistogramma nijsseni male or female? Tankmates?

[Apistogramma8777]

Hello, i am new to this forum so i apologize in advance for any mistakes.

I brought a pair of apistos three months back, while looking online my supposed to be doesnt look like a male, so i am wondering do i have two females? I have provided an image each of the two fish,

Also my tank is 26 gallons, ph is 6.5 and all other reading s are correct.
So would this stocking be sutible
4 apistogramma 3f 1m
10 pencilfish species
10 lemon tetra or 10 marbled hatchfish

Tank you

 

[gerald]

Looks like two females to me ... and they're nice ones!

 

[Mike Wise]

My guess is that if you add 3 females and 1 male A. nijsseni in such a small tank that you will end up with a pair and 2 dead females.

 

[Apistogramma8777]

Looks like two females to me ... and they're nice ones!

Thank you, they are showing full colours, as i cleared the plants and now they can see each other.

My guess is that if you add 3 females and 1 male A. nijsseni in such a small tank that you will end up with a pair and 2 dead females.

Wow are they really that aggressive, i read online they are but mine seem passive. What would you recommend i just keep the females, i am not too fussed about breeding them.

Thanks

 

[Mike Wise]

Nijsseni-group species tend to form semi-permanent breeding pairs. Once a pair forms, they try to drive out other apistos. In a small tank like yours the extra fish can't leave the breeding pair's territory, so are harassed. This usually leads to their death if not removed.

 

[gerald]

The females might get along just fine if there's no male present, and thus no eggs to defend. So yeah you can probably just keep the females. If you do want to breed them someday, get another tank and a male. You will probably have no trouble finding people who want the offspring.