Does anyone know why grown cichlids might change colors...They are not babies....We have four adult fish changing colors back and forth..They are african chiclids...if anyone has any ideas just let me know thanks...
2007-01-30 13:34:19 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Many african cichlids have different adult colors than juvenile colors.
Some are all one color when small then males turn one color and females another color as adults.
Also many fish will show different colors based upon their "mood". They may have a color that they show when being aggressive, another color when being submissive, and yet another color when trying to attract a mate.
I'd have to know what species of fish you have to give you more information.
2007-01-31 03:28:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wow, there are some real experts on cichlids out there, huh? Well, here are the facts, jack: cichlids TALK by changing color... Yeah, it could be a mating thing, but it could also be a friend thing, an enemy thing, an I am the boss thing from the dominant male, it could be a I am a submissive male so I take on the colors of a female thing... The list goes on and on... They are communicating. Plain and simple. Don't you research the fish you keep? I suggest buying a book on cichlids, specifically africans and not asking the yahoos on yahoo about fish advice, that is like going to the pet shop and asking the kid that works there.
2007-01-30 16:02:34 · answer #2 · answered by M CEE 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Africans can change color in seconds, sometimes sub-dominant males must "hide" as females to avoid aggression. But, yes, many juvenile cichlids will look nothing like the parents until maturity.
2016-03-28 21:39:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats pretty rude, although most of your answer is right on. A book will teach you some things, but not everything there is to know. Plain and simple, you need expierience with african cichlids. The more types and longer time you keep them, the more you will learn. Remember the worst question is the one not asked. BTW some of us here do indeed know quite a bit about cichlids.
2007-01-31 02:17:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Many cichlids change colors as they are ready to breed
2007-01-30 13:40:35 · answer #5 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Male cichlids will change more readily, they get the "fired up" look when they want to defend their territory, get excited when time to feed, or just want to flirt. I've seen my cichlids fire up several times within a few moments.
2007-01-30 13:53:24 · answer #6 · answered by USAFret 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They're saying that they're most fertile for mating when they change colors. Its a way to convey to potential mates just how fertile they are at that time.
Alternatively, if your water parameters change from high ph to lower ph, africans will dull in color because they're experiencing stress trying to live in the water.
2007-01-30 13:41:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
the above answer is correct.. they are very much like a mood ring... ever heard of a mood fish??
2007-01-30 16:32:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its normal, they do that. from the different foods thats y they change colors
2007-01-30 13:40:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
they are in mating season
2007-02-02 14:57:49 · answer #10 · answered by tootsie6786 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋