How to identify female Apistogramma elizabethae?

[nicktc]

Hi

I bought a 'pair' of wild caught elizabethae early this week.

The male is about 1.5" with very obvious pointed front dorsal spine with the crescent shape tail.

The other piece which I think is female is much smaller, about an inch only.

Just tonight, I notice the small pc is always flaring against the male and it look like it has a short pointed front dorsal. suspect it could be a sneaker male.

Other observation suggest otherwise...
the smaller piece would hide in a cave, swim towards the male and them back to the cave as if trying to coax the male to breed. Yes the smaller piece have quite a full looking belly.

Does anyone have a female pic to show.

Thanks in advance. I will try to get some pics over the weekends.

[genes]

Some pictures from you will be best. But here is mine for you to compare. Pardon the lousy picture taken sometime back and maybe its alittle difficult to see.

But basically, the first 4 or 5 dorsal membrane of the female can be pointed in some specimens, however, they will not be as lengthy as the male. Next, watch the ventral fins, female's ventral is not long and usually just touches the anal fin. Male's ventral fins will grow way into where their anal fin is.

Also do look out for the lateral spot on the body. If she is indeed trying to lure the male into the cave to breed, she should spot a yellow dress, black ventral and a double lateral spot (1st spot not very obvious in my specimen).

[leeruisheng]

Most male elizabethae should have pronounced redness on their cheeks and/or belly. Whereas the female usually do not have any redness or maybe the mildest of red but nothing comparable to the male.

[nicktc]

Here's a quick snapshot of the pair. Pardon the poor quality pics.
any comment on the female?

male


female?

[leeruisheng]

Shape of body and absence of redness, I would say female.

What's its locality? Tucano, Monte Cristo? I've been also looking for just red cheeks elizabethae.

[nicktc]

Don't know from which locality, these were bought from NKS at Hougang.

[illumnae]

the female looks female to me too.

nice pair you've got, i like your male alot, he's beautiful!

[nicktc]

Thanks illumnae.

Here’s 2 more pictures

[raymond]

from the looks, it does look like you have a pair there. female usually have the finnage type of its species, but less elaborated. And from the picture, it does shows that you have a female there. Dont think its ready to breed yet.

[yorky]

nicktc, very nice male A. eliz you've got!
It does look female from the roundish caudal.
I like the first pic from your latest 2 pictures.

By the way, if you are looking to spawn them, you need to bring down the PH.
Are you using Amazonia II?

[nicktc]

nicktc, very nice male A. eliz you've got!
It does look female from the roundish caudal.
I like the first pic from your latest 2 pictures.

By the way, if you are looking to spawn them, you need to bring down the PH.
Are you using Amazonia II?

I am using that japanese brand bought from far east aquatic. not exactly sure of the name.