Black Nasty

[Gajzila]

Do all adults have a black mask, black forehead? And what does it depend on whether they have a nuchal hump or not?

 

[tlindsey]

Do all adults have a black mask, black forehead? And what does it depend on whether they have a nuchal hump or not?

duanes

 

[duanes]

male above, same male below

Color can depend on many factors, mood, the color of the substrate, whether or not a member of the opposite sex is in the tank.
And the hump can be a display of attempted dominance that grows or recedes.

Above a female with a male in the tank.
Below, same female where the male has been removed

Below a male where the substrate color has been drastically altered

 

[duanes]

Although some cichlids retain certain coloration throughout their life, there are many that do not, so expecting them to look the same even one day to the next is not realistic......Take Australoheros "red Ceibal" from Uruguay,The average coloration may be the 1st shot.

But at times (maybe seasonally, maybe if water parameters change, temps etc etc) like the shot below

But spawning colors can be even more dramatic.
The same fish below as above

 

[Gajzila]

duanes Ye. Like my Sajica and Meeki. Color varies. The biggest difference I've seen is in the female Sajica when she takes care of the young. Black through.