Video Attached: F0 Apistogramma Gender ID.

[OneLastDecree]

Hello Community;

I was told this community holds the experts.
Therefore, I am here to bask in thy glory.

On a serious note,
I have attached two clips of my pair.
Hopefully, they are a male and female.

Species: Apistogramma Cacatuoides
Strain: F0
Estimated DOB: September 2013

URL:

[Suspected Male]

[Suspected Female]

Thank you for your guidance.

Best regards,
OneLastDecree

 

[OneLastDecree]

Sorry; I just read the sticky stating all the questions that need to be answered for an accurate ID.
So I have included it in the following;

Origin: Peru
Maturity: Juvenille

Additional Comments:
As you can see, the pair are fairly young. They are almost at the stage of full maturity.
Notice the caudal fin on the male. It is starting to take shape and start to 'lyrate'.
The full color's have not come through yet on the male.
Only obvious color patterns are the shades of orange on the dorsal, caudal fin and etc.

On another note, I was first worried that they were not Cacatuoides because the female had 3 black lines below her lateral.
I have not seen it on any other females I owned.
So, it caused me to second guess myself.

Thank you, once again, for all the help.

Best regards,
OneLastDecree

 

[Mike Wise]

Well, the good news is that the female is a female A. cacatuoides. The bad news is that the male is a male - A. alpahuayo (Schwarzkinn/Black-chin). You have 2 different species.

 

[OneLastDecree]

Really?!
So, my eggs the female laid may not be fertile?

I'm so bummed.
So, it is a 100% confirmation that it is not a male Cacatuoides?

 

[Mike Wise]

Eggs might be fertile. The 2 species are closely related. Of course, the offspring will be hybrids. 100%? Is anything 100% certain (other than mathematical laws). From what I see the male shows a separate caudal spot (found on allpahuayo), while the female shows no separate caudal spot (found on cacatuoides). There are other features that also indicate my ID is correct. I'd say I'm 90% certain. If you want me to be 99% certain, send me the fish preserved in alcohol. No?

 

[OneLastDecree]

I see.
Basically the lateral line distinct in the Cacatioudes species is a solid line.
The Alpahuayo has a space inbetween the body and Caudal fin. Resembling a dot.

I guess when i get back to my dealer, I will have to be more careful selecting juvenilles.
It is just so hard choosing them at such a young age.

I talked to me dealer yesterday and told him about the problem.
He said he would replace it with another Cacatioudes of my choosing.

Do you know any factors or visible indications I should be looking for when selecting a male and female Cacatioudes at such a young age.
Last time I was there, the ventril fins on all male and females were black.
Dorsals are still very similar.

Maybe I should hold off until they get bigger in the dealers tanks.

 

[Mike Wise]

If you want a sure male, wait until the fins (dorsal, caudal, anal & ventral) show longer more pointed tips.