Re: Sex change in Apisto nijsenni

[Randy or Deb Carey <carey@spacestar.net>]

Steve wrote:

> I know this is unheard of, but has anybody else ever heard of sex changes
> in apistos?  I'm asking because I have a pair of Apisto nijsenni that I've
> had for about a year and a half.  When they were younger I got a number of
> viable spawns from them.  However, in the last few months the female has
> put on quite a growth spurt, to the point where she now approaches the size
> of the male (almost 2 and 1/4 inches), and her coloring has changed too!
> She has a lot more blue on her and the black spot mid body is almost
> nonexistant.  The large spots on the gills are narrowed down to lines also.
>  Another thing that I've noticed only recently is the fact that they are
> displaying to eachother like two males, inverted angled posturing while
> flaring gills!  If everybody thinks I'm whacko I'll understand, but I think
> this is very strange.  Any input would be appreciated!
>
> STeve

One of the Apisto keepers in my area, Ken Nordby, observed a sex reversal in
nijsseni.  I believe the male died and one of the the two remaining females
changed into a male.  I got some of the subsequent offspring.

Perhaps this is something characteristic to nijsseni (or the complex) instead of
to all Apistos.  At least it's interesting that both of these experiences
involved nijsseni.

- --Randy