Mikhail's Apistogramma uaupesi

[mikhail]

Thanks guys for your analysis and for appreciating its beauty. I also find it impressive and kinda like the sail fin. Actually, I bought this with a mate; however, I am also not confident that i bought a true female. It lacks black markings on the ventral fins and the caudal fin does not appear round to me - more of truncate/squarish (I'm still waiting for tail to change to lyrate to confirm male) so might be a sneaker. I will take photo of the other next time and post also for analysis. It's always hiding at the bushy plants because he/she is always being chased away by this male. This male began to color up like this only recently while I was away (under my wife's care). After I came back from my long trip, I got surprised with the drastic change in appearance - the reds appearing everywhere plus the more pronounced lyrate tail. Can't help but take photos .

[doppelbanddwarf]

Hey Mikhail, heres a website which shows how a female uaupesi looks like. From your description you might have a female. I've recently gotten a pair of this species too.

http://www.blackwaterfish.com/uaupes.htm

[mikhail]

Hey Mikhail, heres a website which shows how a female uaupesi looks like. From your description you might have a female. I've recently gotten a pair of this species too.

http://www.blackwaterfish.com/uaupes.htm

Thanks limchongyu for the reference photo. There's similarity in appearance especially on the shape of the body and tail (truncate), but mine has longer/thinner ventral fins with light orange at the tips. Dorsal fin is slightly higher with some small orange on the tips. Color of body is not yellow yet - still drab greyish-blue. Still haven't gotten opportunity to photograph the female because it is always hiding and the male will always chase it away upon seeing it.

[mikhail]

Finally taken some shots of the shy female. Need your help to confirm if this is a real female Ap. uaupesi, or another male.


I am beginning to suspect it as another male because of the color (blue sheen) especially the bright orange at tip of of the ventral fins. Your feedback is welcome.

Here are updated photos of the dominant male for comparison.

[doppelbanddwarf]

IMHO,I think it might be a male. The tail seems to be too squarish at the end. The body shape seems to be long-ish like that of a male too.

[illumnae]

I suspect male too due to points at the end of the tail and long ventrals

[joopsg]

It should be a male one..
Tail changing form. Long ventral and blue marking on the face.
Female tend to stay yellowish if kept together with a male.

[mikhail]

Thanks bro limchongyu, illumnae and joopsg for all your feedback. I knew it. I also believe that this piece is indeed a male. Appreciate all your efforts in analysing the fish.