"Ken Roese Jr." wrote: > > Max, > I have also read several articles about the "Alpha" female > transforming into a male. I had this happen in my filamentosa (I can never > find good looking specimens of the maculatus). As you stated, this could > have been a sleeper male, but these were older fish. I had them for over a > year when this happened. I have had female D. filamentosus turn male too but if it's a purely cosmetic change I don't know. My latest group is (or was) 2 male and 3 female. The largest female has developed male traits but that's all I can say. "She" never spawned as a female and the dominant male is still around so she/he has most likely not spawned as a male either. I just have to add. For the first time I've managed to breed D. filamentosus the natural way. The female cared for the fry for over 5 weeks before I took them out. She now has another spawn free swimming since last friday. I think it was my 50+:th attempt to get them working the natural way. Regards Fredrik L. -- Fredrik.Ljungberg@saab.se Flutter and Loads Department, Saab Ab voice +46 13 18 54 60, fax +46 13 18 33 63 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@listbox.com. For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, email apisto-request@listbox.com. Search http://altavista.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!