Apistogramma bitaeniata, female?

[carlfsk]

Hi guys,







This is apistogramma bitaeniata. But is this a female?

More pics in my gallery.

Please comments. Thanks!

[riltz]

hmmm i should think its a female! the fins are not that long to be a male!

[carlfsk]

ok dude, thanks for your observation.

Sometimes it's a little bit difficult for a newbie like me to ident the gender. Usually I will compare the real fish with what I could find on the net and the book. Still will need experienced people like you guys to help, just for assurance.

[genes]

Yup. should be a female. Females have rounded caudal fin, short ventral and short dorsal fin as compared to the male. Take a look at my female's finnage for comparision.

[carlfsk]

Mine tail is not truely rounded but a little pointed at the 2 end. And it's anal fin seems to be too long and pointed.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid...hmm

[genes]

Take a pic of her/him flaring. Might be clearer.

[joopsg]

by looking at the ventral fin of the fish. it appears to be a sneaker male. female apistogramma seldom have long ventral

[riltz]

by the way jsut to let you know i'm not a pro just that someone posted something awhile ago. can check it out for sexing http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=26693

[carlfsk]

Yup. Saw that post when I doing a search. Thanks!

By the way, when you guys mentioned sneaker male, what do you actually mean?

[genes]

Sneaker male is where a male poses as a female. He will inhibit the colouration and behaviour of a female so that he does not pose a threat to the dorminant breeding male. In the wild, they sneak into the territory of the dorminant male and fertilize the female's eggs.

[Cacatuoides]

It looks like a male specimen to me....caudal, ventral and anal fins looks very similar to a male's....

my 2 cents

How many A.bitaeniata do you have in the tank?

[carlfsk]

Have 2, I bought them as a pair.

Tue be bringing the 2 'female' to Biotope. Lesson 1 by the boss, identifying a female apistogramma. : )

[riltz]

you know actually on second thought it also does look like a male on certain aspects. its weird.

[sheng]

I think your fish is a male

Hope is link may help :
http://www.thekrib.com/Apisto/A-bitaeniata.html

[leeruisheng]

Totally agree to take a photo of him/her flaring. When it flares, can also identify through the dorsal fins.

[Milk]

by looking at the ventral fin of the fish. it appears to be a sneaker male. femal apistogramma seldom have long ventral

I can't agree more with joopsg....From the looks of the Apisto from the picture,you definately have a sneaker male...How to find out if it's a sneaker....separate the suppose "Pair",than you will see this suppose female showing it's true colouration and the male characterise aready.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Milk

[carlfsk]

Ya boy. I just realised the 1st pair of A.Bitaeniata I got form a hobbyist here, the 'female' is a male! Omigosh, how come there're so many mistakes in IDing the gender?

I suppose female fish, at least for A.bitaeniata, the caudal fin will always be round at the 2 end, instead of 2 pointed end. Any comments on my observation?

[valice]

That is only true for A.bitaeniata. Any other species with the fan-shaped caudal fin will fail this check on first inspection.

Best way is still black markings on the ventral fins.

[genes]

Like i said earlier in your Ap. Agassizii thread. Its sometimes difficult to see through a sneaker male when there are many pairs in a tank. Me and Milk have been victims of mis-identity too.

And yes, only males have the pointed tips (Lyrate) at both end. Can't see clearly from your picture though. But the dorsal looks female.

Once comfirmed a male, get it changed to a female if possible. Else, money back!

[valice]

carl, most of us went through the same stage as you. Take some time to get the hang of sexing the apistogrammas.