Hey Folks
I've been noticing some behaviors for quite a few months and want to share my hypothesis.
When the tank lights are off in the early morning, and there is only low natural lighting, my bright colored yellow cyp takes on the role of alpha male. He is the uncontested male of all other cyps.
As soon as the tank lights go on, the darker purple cyp takes on the alpha male role.
My hypothesis is that the flashy colors are part of what determines the dominance of cyps, and in low light, the darker purple cyp's colors don't show as much as the bright yellow cyp.
When the lights are on, the purple cyp takes over, and is also dominate because he is larger than the yellow cyp.
I read that some ocean fish are brightly colored because lower down in the water there isn't as much sunlight, and the colors compensate. This is what I think contributes to my two cyps taking turns being alphas depending on the tank lighting.
Thoughts? (no rude comments, please)
I'd upload a couple pics that show the 2 males being alphas based on lighting, but like always I'm having trouble uploading pics from my Android on this forum
I've been noticing some behaviors for quite a few months and want to share my hypothesis.
When the tank lights are off in the early morning, and there is only low natural lighting, my bright colored yellow cyp takes on the role of alpha male. He is the uncontested male of all other cyps.
As soon as the tank lights go on, the darker purple cyp takes on the alpha male role.
My hypothesis is that the flashy colors are part of what determines the dominance of cyps, and in low light, the darker purple cyp's colors don't show as much as the bright yellow cyp.
When the lights are on, the purple cyp takes over, and is also dominate because he is larger than the yellow cyp.
I read that some ocean fish are brightly colored because lower down in the water there isn't as much sunlight, and the colors compensate. This is what I think contributes to my two cyps taking turns being alphas depending on the tank lighting.
Thoughts? (no rude comments, please)
I'd upload a couple pics that show the 2 males being alphas based on lighting, but like always I'm having trouble uploading pics from my Android on this forum
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