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A. Ortegai Pebas var & macmasteri sleeper

JoseF

New Member
Messages
28
So I recently purchased a male & female ortegai and would like an opinion as to whether you agree these are male and female of species. The ortegai are to be a replacement for two female macmasteri as the male macmasteri died two weeks ago. My intent is to donate my female macmasteri to the LFS that I purchased from. While I was waiting got the ortegai one of my macmasteri started to act male. She tried to entice the other female macmasteri and the new female ortegai. I currently have the species separated. Do I have a sleeper male macmasteri? Now I have a dilemma. If so not sure which pair I should keep.
 

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JoseF

New Member
Messages
28
Additional picture
 

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JoseF

New Member
Messages
28
Another two of female?
 

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Mike Wise

Moderator
Staff member
5 Year Member
Messages
11,201
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
The male looks like A. ortegai, but the female looks like A. cf. ortegai (Pebas). They are genetically 2 different, but closely related species.
 

JoseF

New Member
Messages
28
Thank you. Here are are a couple more pictures. I pulled out the macmasteri. The male Ortegai is very outgoing and the female s big more skittish. Interesting day2. I hope the male colors up more as he matures
 

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MacZ

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,958
Location
Germany
Thank you. Here are are a couple more pictures. I pulled out the macmasteri. The male Ortegai is very outgoing and the female s big more skittish. Interesting day2. I hope the male colors up more as he matures

They look exactly like mine. How aggressive is your male towards the female? Because mine drove the female into hiding and finally killed her after about a months. And he will colour up more, it takes some time.
 

JoseF

New Member
Messages
28
Funny you mention aggressiveness. He does chase her off which I thought odd. So far not bad enough that I would separate but worse than I have seen in the 3 types of apistogramma I have kept. He has colored up some in three days. Mostly fearless searching front of tank. Kind of a funny dopey little guy.
 

MacZ

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,958
Location
Germany
I kept Malawi cichlids for years before. These are my first Apistogramma. Got the A. ortegai by accident, as I bought them as A. borelli "opal". In the lighting at the store the male looked like a young borelli. Anyway, I thought having kept Mbuna I was used to the probably most aggressive cichlids, but... this was way more than I was used to. I now have decided I'll only get a new female when I got a second tank to separate them. And even if so, it's hard to come by these here.
 

MacZ

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,958
Location
Germany
Definitely A. ortegai. Look very close to mine.

I see a Cory there. Any problems with them?
 

JoseF

New Member
Messages
28
The Cory are great. Never and issue with apistogramma. Have several hasbrosus, pygmeus and one larger salt and pepper variety (survivor) and have had caucotoides fry in past with no issues from them. Male ortegai starting to color well & not shy at all. I wish he and female would hit it off so hopeful with time. He chases her then loses interest. Plenty of spots for her to hide
 

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