6 replies to this topic

[splinteredmind]

Hey guys,
 
A bit confused over the colouration of 2 of my peacocks/haps at the moment. Basically I bought a Copadichromis borleyi (Red Fin Kadango) and Protomelas taeniolatus (Red Empress) from a LFS believing they were both male, by my judgement based on the colouration they were showing at the time (about a month ago). Both fish were being kept in tanks of their own species at the store.
 
Over the last month I've noticed that they've both undergone some colour changes... the fins on the Copadichromis borleyi turning from the white blaze and grey to solid orange, and the Protomelas taeniolatus bascially colouring down to nothing.
 
Both fish are roughly ~8-10cm long and are housed with 6 other same or smaller male peacocks/haps, which haven't changed colour. I cant see any signs of major aggression between any of the fish currently (which I know can cause peacocks/haps to lose colour).
 
All pictures were taken under the same light with an iPhone 5. All fish are fed exclusively new life spectrum cichlid formula and thera a, with some spirulina flakes.

 

So what do you guys think about this?
 
Pics of the Copadichromis borleyi 4 weeks ago
 
 
Pics taken this morning
 
 
 
Pics of the Protomelas taeniolatus 4 weeks ago

 
Pics taken this morning
 

Edited by splinteredmind, 24 August 2014 - 01:33 PM.

[Kleinz]

Looks to me like your Borleyi is taking on female characteristics.

 

Sometimes if you give fish enough colour food, females start looking like males, but if you stop, they revert. Feeding colour food?

 

Either that or they are getting picked on and colouring accordingly.

[splinteredmind]

Thanks for the reply Kleinz, the Borleyi had full male colours when I bought it from the LFS (that first picture was taken the day I put it in my tank), since then its only been been fed NLS cichlid formula and ocean nutrition spirulina flakes a couple times a week.

[dicky7]

hate to say it but your Red Empress looks suspiciously like a female as well ... not very experienced yet  just my2cp worth

[Poncho]

I would agree with what kleinz inferred. The fish have been fed colour enhancers and are losing colour with a change of diet

[splinteredmind]

Thanks for the input guys - I'm pretty disappointed with this, especially given the LFS I purchased them from (who also happens to be a sponsor of this site). I guess I'll try and vent the fish, and rehome them if they are truely female.

Edited by splinteredmind, 24 August 2014 - 07:55 PM.

[splinteredmind]

For those interested I tried venting them tonight... 

 

Borleyi - looks to be female

 

Red Empress - thinking its a male