[helene schoubye]

Its really interesting photoes, – but no, I have to admit, I am more certain than ever that this is indeed a dominant female.
The fish does show extraordinary strong and intense colours now, thats quite clear. But in this kind of mood, where it is obvious that the fish is really showing strong colours, it is not showing typical ‘male’ colours. If a male, in this mood, (strongly aroused, strongly agressive or something else) there would be much stronger colours in the bands all fins. Clearly and visible. This fish at this point is showing the optimal for whats possible for it, and that is just not ‘male’- like.
I have seen females become this kind of ‘darkish’ black-ish when in really bad mood, or really fighting with other females.
And even the way the fish fight in some way seems to me to be more ‘female-fight’ than male show off. I have experienced females being really nasty to each other in the way you describe. They can really attack each other. Males .. maybe they do it too, but I think they more show off to each other than actually go after each other..